Third-level students held a symbolic funeral procession through the streets of the capital today at what they warned would be "the death of education" in next month’s Budget.
The protest, organised by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), was part of wider campaign against an anticipated hike in student fees currently being considered by the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn.
The rally, from the Department of Education on Marlborough Street to Leinster House, failed to draw anything like the numbers at last week’s “Stop Fees” protest march which saw up to 20,000 students march on Government Buildings.
At the front of today’s rally, students, dressed in funeral attire and carrying a large banner emblazoned with the words “RIP The Death of Education 1922 – 2011”, marched behind a hearse.
When the rally reached Kildare Street, several students removed a coffin from the hearse and carried it on their shoulders to Leinster House before laying a wreath at the gates of the building.
In his speech at the rally, USI president Gary Redmond told the crowd that any further increases in student fees or cuts in student supports would be the "death sentence for education" and severly undermine the country’s economic recovery.
"Every single cent spent on education is an investmemt in economic recovery and an investment in Ireland’s future."
"The same families that have to pay college fees are the same families who are struggling to pay mortgages, keep food on the table and keep the lights on," he said.
Mr Redmond said planned cutbacks in education would directly lead to students being forced out of education and into the dole queues.
Mr Quinn has said he is examining the Higher Education Authority report on funding for higher education and will discuss it with Government colleagues as part of the Cabinet's budgetary deliberations.
Mr Quinn, who made a very public pre-election declaration not to increase student registration fees, is thought to favour increasing the student contribution charge by €500 to €2,000, rather than the return of college fees averaging more than €5,000.
However, other options – including a graduate tax – are also under discussion. Cuts in postgraduate research grants and maintenance support are also being considered.
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