By Thea Deller
MELBOURNE: Amidst the anger sparked by the Federal budget, Victorian secondary students have risen to the challenge of protecting their education. The budget has made secondary students realise that for education to be equal and fair they themselves must voice their opinions and organise. They believe they have a vital role in preserving the education system and that the government is making a mistake by cutting education spending. Students say they should not be considered a drain on society: they are the country's future and education is a valuable resource, a key to the success of the 'clever country'. Their campaign has been so successful that the Federal government has been unable to ignore them, and Federal Education Minister Amanda Vanstone has agreed to meet with a delegation from the newly-formed secondary students' union.
Reacting angrily to news of the content of the budget, a group of secondary students organised a protest at the GPO on Friday 16 August. More than 1000 secondary students marched to Parliament House, chanting slogans such as: 'No ifs, no buts, no fees no cuts!' and 'Education for all! Not just the rich!!
The students vowed to take further action and they have been true to their word. A subsequent meeting decided that the group would organise themselves as the United Secondary Students Union (USSU). The second rally was a success, with many more students joining the new union.
The next USSU meeting was attended by an even larger group of students. They decided to publish a newsletter, organise a database for membership and start an internet homepage. People were also elected for media liaison etc.
It was also decided to press for a meeting with Senator Vanstone [the Education Minister] to discuss her attacks on education. Vanstone, who has called protesting students 'squealing stuffed pigs', initially refused to meet with members of USSU, but has subsequently agreed. The union has also requested meetings with the opposition parties in order to try to persuade them to block the cuts in the Senate.
USSU has emerged from the determination and enthusiasm of secondary students across Melbourne. It is a very new organisation but it is growing rapidly. The students involved are determined to make a difference; to say that they are not going to put up with having their educational prospects taken away from them. They have shown the government that they are out there, and now that they have its attention they plan to act effectively. In the short term they will attempt to stop cuts to education in the new budget, and more broadly to represent and inform all secondary students who wish to stand up for their rights.