On March 22, 2012, some 200,000 students rallied together to protest the tuition fee increases in Montreal, Quebec.
The peaceful march took place at 1pm and was greeted with enthusiasm by the local population. All were in good spirits. People cheered from the sidewalks with support for the students and waved red flags from balconies above. Many wore red to symbolize debt. Some children seen painting red squares in their windows were greeting by the students with the chant, “C’est pour vous!” or, “It’s for you!”
Other cries of protest included:
“Crions! Plus fort! Pour que personne ne nous ignore!” / “Yell! Louder! So no one can ignore us!”
“On veut étudier! On veut pas s’endetter!” / “We want to study! We don’t want to be in debt!”
The province of Quebec plans on doubling tuition fees over the next five years to $3800. The main argument put forth in favor of raising tuition is that it will provide better education for students. One does not necessarily equal the other. There are too many countries in the world to list here that provide quality free education. If you are curious about which countries provide it, there is a short list here.
Forcing those who cannot pay the extra cost for their education is wrong. Québec Premier Jean Charest will hopefully yield to the population and make a rare welcomed move in his poor political career. Jean Charest, along with Minister of Education Line Beauchamp, may end up cutting those who cannot afford the extra cash out of the system.
But that’s the point isn’t it? Keep a large group of uninformed and uneducated people?
Of course it is, because the educated are dangerous to those in positions of power.
2 Comments
All we want is access to education. Not everyone needs or wants to go to university or college, but everyone should be able to if they so desire.
I agree Morgan. Some in positions of power are limiting peoples choices.