THE NEW Labour government shows no sign of backing down from their plans to scrap the student maintenance grant and introduce tuition fees -despite mounting opposition from students, parents and teaching unions.
These vicious measures were briefly considered by the Tories but rejected because they were considered too radical even for them!! They will effectively reverse the gains made by the working class for free education for all regardless of the ability to pay.
David Blunkett himself
benefited from free education and went from a Sheffield council estate to university to cabinet minister. Now he and his cronies are pulling up the ladder behind them - closing off this route for future generations of young workers.
In universities, colleges and schools right across the country there has been widespread anger and disgust that a Labour government should seek to reverse the principle of free education.
The nationaldemonstration on November 26 called by the Campaign for Free Education showed the possibility of further action in opposition to Blunkert's plans. Despite the disgraceful failure of the NUS leadership to support it, a sizeable protest took place.
Unfortunately Douglas Trainer and the NUS leadership prefer the timid strategy of writing to MPs, newspapers, and so on, rather than mobilising the membership for effective EDUCATION action.
The so called "Week Of Action" called by NUS earlier last November quickly became a farcical "week of Inaction" as NUS rejected democratic mass actions by students such as demonstrations and occupations.
Action has successfully been organised by the Campaign for Free Education, Stop the Fees Campaign and Save Free Education. Without the support of the NUS leadership however it has not proved possible to organise mass student mobilisations of the kind that are needed to stop Blunkett's plans.
Socialist Outlook believes that only through bringing together all those who have been involved in these various campaigns led by different forces on the far left will it be GRANTS were Not Paying!
possible to pose a serious alternative to the rotten leadership of Trainer and his ilk.
Although there are differences between the different groups these are not great enough to justify separate campaigns. There is strength in unity and unity is desperately needed in the struggle to come. Without this we let not only Trainer off the hook but David Blunkett too.
This is why we wholeheartedlty support the call from the Campaign for Free Education for a unity conference on February 11. We are also glad that it appears that both the Stop the Fees Campaign and Save Free Education intend to turn up.
This should be built on in every single college - including the many where no particular ISSN 0951-8657 Published by Aurora Ltd., PO Box I109, London N4 2UU. All rights reserved. Printed by Eastway Offset (TU all depts)
TOP FRI left group is organised - to build the maximum attendance at the event.
What is needed at the Conference is agreement on a common programme of action that can capitalise on the head of steam that was built up last term and that can link into the increasing unease at Blair's other attacks on the Welfare State. This must include planning the broadest possible lobby of Parliament on University Students Union. * WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY Lobby of the House of Commons against student tuition fees. 2p.m. St. Stephens Gate. Febrary 25.
The proposals come into force next academic year and therefore affect those students now in FE Colleges and school sixth forms.
The campaign must step up activities to organise activity among these youth as well as current University students. Links should also be forged with education workers and with union activists in NATFHE, AUT and NUT as well as with other workers who. will be affected by Blunkett's anti-education plans.
We can learn lessons from other student struggles around the world such as in Germany where tens of thousands have taken to the streets in defence of education rights (see p19).
The task now for activists is to build on the anger in the colleges and widen the struggle. The lobby of Parliament and Unity Conference in February • provide exiting opportunities to do this.
Trade union and Labour Party activists should get the issue discussed in their branches, and pass resolutions in support of Free Education as a right for all workers and in solidarity with the student struggle.