Press Release – Fight The Fees
University of Auckland students are hosting a street party today to raise awareness about tuition fee rises and promote debate around the commercialization of education. This protest is the first in a campaign called ‘Fight the Fees.’

University of Auckland students’ fees have gone up by 4% every year since 2010, the maximum allowed by law.

Students have gathered signatures on a petition to halt this year’s fee rises. Fee rises are set by the University Council and the next meeting is set for 4pm on Monday.

The students behind the campaign, Fight the Fees, say “claims to austerity become laughable when our Vice-Chancellor is getting paid $800,000, while 15% of students are living in absolute financial distress and aren’t able to afford basic accommodation, food and clothing requirements.

“We are sick of this mindless politics of austerity, which makes education into a privilege for the rich or puts students and families into a lifetime of debt,” the students continue.

New Zealand currently has the seventh highest tertiary education fees in the developed world.*

The street party will include speakers, spoken word, bands, street art, an open student forum on ‘What to do next?” and a trip to see the Vice Chancellor to present him with the petition.

Any students wishing to join the street party are encouraged to meet in the AUSA Quad at 2pm today

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
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