• Paul McGowan Faced with a seven per cent eut in real terms by the government, Principals and Vice Chancellors have threatened to charge students a £300 fee to enter Highor Education.
Embarrassed by this move, Tories have again floated the Idea of Introducing a graduate tax to fund this sector of education. They don't want any other robbers on their patch. Rather than Immediately threatening resistance to such attacks the NUS leadership has appeared almost indifferent. Its no surprise really considering they themselves support a graduate tax echoing their mentors in New Labour. The defeat of their motion to support such a scheme at the NUS Special Conference last year shows the mass of students oppose their capitulation to Blair and Major. This opposition mobllised by the Free Education Campaign needs now to be demanding actlon from the NUS to force the Torles and the Vice Chiefs to abandon their plans. The NUS Conference in March provides a good opportunity for us to plan a fighting campaign and rid ourselves of a lead• Bob Gooch ership that supports the other side. Their 'moderate' approach has led to students financlal ruin. Last year a record 54,000 dropped out. Next year's thousands of working class youth won't even have the money to start their courses If VC's get their way. In addition half a million graduates now face court because of their fallure to repay their student loans. A striking contrast to what's happening here Is France. Student strikes have Just won a 2000% Increase in capital spending for colleges. They have gained these concesslons by uniting with workers in their disputes. Here, all staff in colleges are under threat of the sack through the Torles current squeeze on education. There are conditions for united action. The les. son we all need to learn is to fight together!. The Tories claim the cupboard is bare -but the rich are sitting at the table with sliver spoons In their mouths. The Government can afford to give £3 blllion tax concession to North Sea oll companles. We should demand Its spent on financlal support for students giving working class youth the same life at colleges that rich sprogs have enjoyed for genera tlons. Socialists Inside YL • Our special they have called it