About 80 students bundled up at an Oshawa high school walked out on Monday to protest the recent cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) announced by the Ford government.
O’Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institution was one of over 20 schools across the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board that took part in walkouts due to changes in the program.
Grace Cowan, a Grade 11 student who led the walkout at O’Neill CVI, expressed that these cuts make it unclear if students can afford their desired education.
“We’re here to show that we are united and that we are a community, and that we want change and we are willing to be the change we want to see,” she said.
Students gathered at Alexandria Park holding signs, with chants of “Save OSAP” echoing through the crowd.
The modifications to OSAP, which were first revealed in February, will take effect for the upcoming school year. The adjustments limit grant funding to a maximum of 25 percent, reduced from the current cap of 85 percent. This means eligible students will need to take on more debt for their education.
Ford responds to student complaints over OSAP funding changes
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he has received thousands of complaints since announcing significant changes to its OSAP program. He’s encouraging students not to choose “basket-weaving courses,” but rather focus on studies leading toward in-demand jobs like health care or trades.
With two siblings himself, he shared his concerns about how he will manage schooling costs when his time comes.
“Due to the grants cutting down, I believe that I’ll have to pay more from my own pocket and I don’t have that money,” Chaudhry said. “My family does not have the money to sustain paying for three children.”
Bianca Giacoboni, spokesperson for Ontario’s Minister of Universities and Colleges Nolan Quinn, explained that reducing OSAP grants is essential for maintaining program sustainability. She mentioned additional funding options available through Ontario Student Access Guarantee for eligible low-income individuals if OSAP falls short on covering tuition fees and books.
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‘We want to show that we have a voice’
When Jannah Shah, a Grade 12 student at Eastdale Collegiate and Vocational Institution in Oshawa, learned about these cuts, she felt outraged. She started organizing a protest at her school – and news spread quickly. “As students, we want to show that we have a voice,” she told . With concerns about their futures ahead, Shah mentioned many students at her school are anxious about the OSAP reductions. She noted several are reconsidering attending higher education because of it. Muhammed Chaudhry, a Grade 10 student who participated in the walkout at O’Neill CVI, said many local students come from low-income families and cannot afford tuition without OSAP support. WATCH | Ford tells students to pick in-demand jobs in response to complaints about OSAP cuts:
Ford responds to student complaints over OSAP funding changes
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he has received thousands of complaints since announcing significant changes to its OSAP program. He’s encouraging students not to choose “basket-weaving courses,” but rather focus on studies leading toward in-demand jobs like health care or trades.
With two siblings himself, he shared his concerns about how he will manage schooling costs when his time comes.
“Due to the grants cutting down, I believe that I’ll have to pay more from my own pocket and I don’t have that money,” Chaudhry said. “My family does not have the money to sustain paying for three children.”
Bianca Giacoboni, spokesperson for Ontario’s Minister of Universities and Colleges Nolan Quinn, explained that reducing OSAP grants is essential for maintaining program sustainability. She mentioned additional funding options available through Ontario Student Access Guarantee for eligible low-income individuals if OSAP falls short on covering tuition fees and books.‘Students deserve to be heard’
This week sees further planned actions by students. On Wednesday, according to social media posts from Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario (CFSO), there’s a rally set outside Queen’s Park. The adjustments made regarding OSAP alongside allowing schools annual tuition hikes of two percent make education less affordable for both present and future learners; Cyrielle Ngeleka chairperson of CFSO pointed out this concern in a news release. “In light of youth unemployment crises along with an increasingly uncertain job market – this harmful decision will lead more graduates into heavier student debts affecting their financial futures,” stated their announcement. “OSAP is changing , and it’s vital that students’ voices be heard,” wrote SAGBC via social media platforms.”These updates could impact grants , loans , and access towards education throughout Ontario.” NDP Leader Marit Stiles has recently urged Ford reversing his decision concerning these changes. She called him “out-of-touch” given uncertainties within job markets combined with existing affordability issues while requesting young people take on more debts related toward educational expenses. Evidently despite pushback among student bodies Doug Ford stands firmly behind choices made involving reduction against OSAP grant programs steering encouragement toward pursuing careers mainly found within “in demand” fields such as STEM subjects or healthcare roles.Source link
