Another student walkout in protest of OSAP changes planned this week
The Ford government's decisions are making postsecondary education more challenging, say organizers of the walkout at Thorold Secondary School. This sentiment is shared by Jana Alasadi and Sougui Abakar, high school students concerned about the rising costs of post-secondary education.
The students have organized a walkout on Wednesday, March 11 at 12:30 p.m., joining a province-wide effort to protest changes to post-secondary education funding. The Ford government's plan includes ending a seven-year tuition freeze, allowing universities to increase fees by two percent for the next three years, and further hikes tied to inflation thereafter. This is coupled with changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), where most funds will be in the form of loans, increasing student debt.
Alasadi, an aspiring political scientist, and Abakar, an international relations enthusiast, express their worries about the financial burden of education. They argue that the current economic climate makes it difficult to afford education, and the added cuts only exacerbate the issue. Premier Doug Ford's suggestion that students focus on 'in-demand jobs' like healthcare and trades is met with skepticism by Abakar, who emphasizes the importance of pursuing personal passions.
The protest is gaining momentum on social media, with pages like studentsjustwannahavefunds and ontario_protest.hs encouraging students to share their concerns. The walkout will take place in Thorold, with students marching down Ormond Street to Merritt Street, ending near Johnny Rocco's Italian Grill and the Old Stone Inn. This walkout is part of a larger movement, with over 85 schools across Ontario participating.
The students' message is clear: they are determined to make their voices heard and advocate for a more affordable and accessible post-secondary education system. The walkout is a powerful symbol of student activism, highlighting the growing concerns about the financial barriers to education in Ontario.
