High school students in Hamilton left their classes on Friday to protest cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) made by the province.
In spite of the windy and icy conditions, at least 100 students from Westmount Secondary School walked out around 2 p. m.
The group marched to Upper James Street, chanting slogans and waving signs. “Hey hey, ho ho, student debt has got to go,” they shouted as passing cars honked in support.
Among them was Hillary Konick, a Grade 11 student at Westmount, who protested these cuts because all students “deserve a fair shot at having a good future.”
“We’re here to learn.. and to get jobs to integrate ourselves into society and benefit the economy and do great things,” said Konick.
“I think everyone deserves a fair shot at doing that.”
Meanwhile, across town at Sherwood Secondary School, students also walked out starting at noon, including Daunte Hillen.
“I think that [the provincial government’s] deliberate dismantling and vandalism of public education is threatening our opportunities for our entire generation,” he said.
“Education isn’t just a privilege. It’s not a privilege at all. Education is our right and it belongs to us.”
WATCH | ‘Everyone deserves a fair shot’ at learning and contributing to society, says Westmount student:
‘Everyone deserves a fair shot’ at learning and contributing to society, says Westmount student
Hillary Konick was one of the around 100 students who walked out of class at Westmount Secondary School on Friday to protest provincial cuts to OSAP.
The Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn announced in February that beginning this fall, eligible students will see non-repayable OSAP grants decrease from a maximum of 85 percent down to 25 percent. At the same time, funding for loans will rise to a minimum of 75 percent.
Currently, students can receive up to 85 percent as grants – which don’t have to be paid back – with a minimum of 15 percent as loans that need repayment.
For Hillen, these cuts mean he has had to rethink all his plans regarding post-secondary education.
“I’ve had difficult conversations that really we shouldn’t be having [about the future],” he said. Hillen has recently been accepted into Mc Master University’s Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement.
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Nand Shah was one of about 100 students who participated in the walkout from Westmount. (Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
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Despite icy sidewalks on Friday afternoon , students from Westmount marched towards Upper James Street chanting while holding signs.(Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
He suggested learners should target “jobs of tomorrow,” citing careers in STEM fields like health care or trades among others stating those areas are currently hiring therefore studies ought focus there instead taking “basket-weaving courses.”
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‘Everyone deserves a fair shot’ at learning and contributing to society, says Westmount student
Hillary Konick was one of the around 100 students who walked out of class at Westmount Secondary School on Friday to protest provincial cuts to OSAP.
The Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn announced in February that beginning this fall, eligible students will see non-repayable OSAP grants decrease from a maximum of 85 percent down to 25 percent. At the same time, funding for loans will rise to a minimum of 75 percent.
Currently, students can receive up to 85 percent as grants – which don’t have to be paid back – with a minimum of 15 percent as loans that need repayment.
For Hillen, these cuts mean he has had to rethink all his plans regarding post-secondary education.
“I’ve had difficult conversations that really we shouldn’t be having [about the future],” he said. Hillen has recently been accepted into Mc Master University’s Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement.
Marginalized students could be hit hardest
Hillen mentioned that marginalized students are likely going to feel these cuts more than others. “[Students] are out here really just working through all the barriers and inequalities that have emerged from all the decisions before,” he told CBC Hamilton. “They’re receiving scholarships, recognition for their work in the community, but it’s not being honored because at the end of the day, the system is not designed for them to access it because it’s so chronically underfunded.” The new changes also allow colleges and universities increased tuition fees by two percent annually over three years. “As students, we believe it’s our responsibility to go out there and really fight against these policy changes while advocating for our peers so everyone can pursue post-secondary education regardless of economic background,” said Nand Shah, an eleventh grader from Westmount Secondary School.‘I stand with the basket weavers’
Students from Glendale Secondary School along with Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School were also set for their own walkouts starting at two o’clock on Friday afternoon. P
Ontario Premier Doug Ford continues backing these funding cuts despite backlash coming from both high schoolers as well as university or college attendees alike. In early March protests erupted outside Queen’s Park throughout Ontario leading even some arrests. P This week other high schoolers across Hamilton held similar demonstrations earlier while online petitions opposing this decision have surfaced too. PA month ago Ford defended his position saying OSAP grants come from taxpayers’ money. P
The taxpayers expect students should take courses aimed toward driving economic growth,” said Ford.”He suggested learners should target “jobs of tomorrow,” citing careers in STEM fields like health care or trades among others stating those areas are currently hiring therefore studies ought focus there instead taking “basket-weaving courses.”
This led participating individuals during Hamilton’s walkout on Friday displaying signs reading phrases such as “I stand with basket weavers” alongside “education for everyone not just wealthy people.”
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