Students: Give us our money back

Swansea university students demanding a fees refund, October 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Southampton

Students are dissatisfied, frustrated and angry. Socialist Students decided to make a stand.

We agreed that a demonstration on campus was the best way to make ourselves heard. On 16 October, we met at one of the busiest spots on campus.

Naturally, due to the Covid-19 measures, it couldn't be a full-blown demonstration - we kept a distance between each other and wore our masks.

Lots of students stopped to speak to us about what we are fighting for, which unsurprisingly resonated with many of them. We collected signatures of people wanting to join the socialist movement in fighting for free education, which ultimately is the end goal.

Students getting a far-from-complete university experience need a fee refund. The pandemic has exposed the problems of a capitalist society that prioritises profit over people.

Our demonstration was part of our campaign for a socialist society. We demand a nationalised education system that prioritises the welfare of the people. We demand to be heard.

Eva Papadopoulou

Birmingham

Great Socialist Students meeting on 7 October on what campaigns on campus need to be launched asap to fight back against student and staff exploitation, stripping away our resources, and funding and welfare for students.

We will have a socially distanced protest on 21 October for an immediate refund of this year's tuition fees, repayment of accommodation rent, and a national campaign for free education.

We got a great response on our 14 October campaign stall, with lots of support and sign-ups from students and staff. We appreciate all the support we have been receiving for the fightback for free education.

Cardiff

Socialist Students was out campaigning on 15 October for a refund of fees and free education, ahead of our meeting. Just a couple of weeks into term, and 1,300 Cardiff Uni students are isolating already.

All this was totally predictable given the government's failure to defeat the virus. Students fees should be handed back, and we deserve a rent rebate too, with students allowed to cancel tenancy agreements and be given the resources to go home safely, if they wish.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.