November 18,1997

Politicans speak out on education

By Peter Gillis

On Wednesday, Novem- ber 12th, several politicians expressed their views on higher education. They were part of a rally protesting cuts to edu- cation sponsored by UPEI’s Student Union.

Janice Broderick, Presi- dent of the UPEI Student Un- ion, was the first to criticize current government policies. “Accessible, affordable, qual- ity education is going by the wayside because our govern- ment is concerned about money only -- not the lives of the people they represent.”

She detailed how over one million dollars in cuts have crippled the extra-curricular service offered by the univer- sity. Due to the cuts, UPEI has given up ownership of its rink, forcing students to pay $125 for intramural hockey. Also, the library has seen a thirty percent cut in periodi- cals, severely affecting the availability of up to date re- search material.

She explained how in- vestment in higher education isan investment intheeconom of Prince Edward Island. UPEI is the third largest em- ployer in PEI. The govern- ment provides 27 million in funding and sees a return of over $100 million in taxes and

"Our university gives

“Summer jobs i $5.40/hrdo not pay for 83-150 worth of tuition, not to mention books, groceries, and a roof over our head.”

Thenext speaker, Marion Boyd, also voiced her concern of rising debt. Quoting a re-

cent report by the Maritime Provinces no Education Commission, sheexplained that the average student debt load for a four year degree will double by the year 2005. To- day, the average amount owed by graduating students is twenty thousand dollars. This is expected to rise to forty thousand within the next five years.

“With a debt like that after university, you have no future. You owe your lives to the banks,” Boyd stated. “Edu- cation is a public resource like water and health care. It is not a product to be purchased at private cost.”

Paul Connolly, Liberal MLA, accused the govern- ment of ignoring promises made during the election. During the election, the Con- servatives promised stable funding for UPEI if elected. Since assuming power, though, they have since cut two million dollars from their budget.

This attack on a lack of stable funding was continued by Herb Dickieson, the only NDP member of the House. “The Binns government has failed to live up to its responsi- bilities,” he accused. The gov- ernment may have Promised stable funding, but “if it's sta- ble, it's stably low. There is

stable about that.” further questioned

at ity of private lending qu for iteation.. Gillan, Minister

costs are still met due the de- sire of students for a higher University students,

ments from the federal gov- ernment for rising costs in tui- tion. The initiation ofthe COST resulted in a reduction of $27 million in funds sent to the province. However, he then claimed that the loss in funding was not passed on to UPEI.

“We have not passed those cuts on the University or to students,” he said. “We recognize that education and health care are priorities in this province and that’s why we have not passed those cuts on.

In light of their current reduction of 6 percent, this comment was not well re- ceived by the students in at- tendance.

Premier Binns most dif- ficult moment came after a question was posed from the crowd, Jason Gaudet, a stu- dentat the rally, pointed to the proposed $500,000 in grants for people who wish to buy computers. He wondered why the government was helping high income earners buy com- puters when students have other needs.

“We have worked hard to maintain funding for educa- tion,” Premier Binns re- sponded, “and we believe that [the grant for computers] will help with the education prob- lems of this province.”

The hes ended at 2pm when the MLA’s entered

the House for the opening of

the legislature.

The Cadre

By Peter Gillis"

A report on the effects of rising tuition was released in Halifax on November 12th. The study examined the effects of increasing costs of tuition and the impact that these costs have on who decides to attend university.

According to the Maritime Higher Education Commis- sion, the average student debt load for a four year degree wil! double by the year 2005 to almost forty thousand dollars. Many students are willing take on such a debt, believing a university degree will help them getajob. However, there is a growing group of young people, mostly from low-income families, who are deciding not to pursue higher education.

___ The commission asked questions of 19 focus groups

with university students from various parts of the Maritimes. They then Pagbag es ‘of 1500 high school students

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