Students protest over grant cuts
Hundreds of university students on Wednesday protested outside parliament as MPs discussed the state budget which included a €2.8 million cut from students grants. They slammed an incessant increase in the cost of living, charging that since 2
Hundreds of university students on Wednesday protested outside parliament as MPs discussed the state budget which included a €2.8 million cut from students grants.
They slammed an incessant increase in the cost of living, charging that since 2013, university students have faced a €24m slash in government support.
“Today, university students are sending a powerful message both to the legislative body and executive. They should keep their ears open,” a student petition said.
“Budget savings in education are in complete contrast with their claim that they consider education an investment.”
University of Cyprus student union head Efrem Christou said it is the criteria which should be revaluated which were setup “decades ago” and have no place in the current socioeconomic conditions.
House president Annita Demetriou briefly left the state budget discussion in parliament to receive their petition and urged them to arrange a meeting with her so as to discuss their problems.
Akel’s general secretary Stefanos Stefanou said “we cannot talk about a future of the country and the wings of our future – which is you.”
He argued student grants should be increased rather than slashed.
Greens MP Charalambos Theopemptou underlined a proper system should be in place for students and expressed his hope a solution could be found.
Independent MP Alexandra Attalidou described the cut as absurd at a time where inflation has slashed purchasing power. A right to education should be freely available not something to beg for, she stressed.
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