Students in Northumberland are joining others across the province for a “high school walkout” today (Wednesday, March 11) and speaking up for their future, citing worries over “Ford’s OSAP cuts.”
Several walkouts are being organized by students from schools like ENSS and Cobourg Collegiate Institute, as well as in the Quinte area. However, as of Wednesday morning, some of the walkouts planned were being postponed due to the weather.
Those like Sadie Roherty – a Grade 11 ENSS student – say students are coming together to fight for their future and their concerns centre around being unable to afford to go to post-secondary institutions in the wake of the Ontario government’s recently announced changes. Roherty also says concern extends to current college and university students about continuing education.
“With this walkout – and the over 120 other high schools walking out on the same day – students hope to persuade Ford’s government into reversing the cuts,” says Roherty.
However, Brighton students have since decided to reschedule their walkout until March 24 due to the forecast today.
Those like Roherty have noted that the walkouts don’t represent local schools or boards, with these events organized outside of schools. The walkouts are planned for 12:30 p.m.
Local youth say they’re participating in solidarity with students across Ontario and hope to amplify their voices and raise awareness of concerns.
As previously reported, starting this fall, the province is proposing changes, including a shift in the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), which will mean more loans and fewer grants – and students will only be able to receive a maximum of 25 per cent of their funding as non-repayable grants.
Student groups and young professionals have been expressing concerns amid the affordability crisis, arguing changes will push more young people into debt or force youth out of post-secondary education altogether.
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford has defended sweeping changes around student financial aid, saying the current system is no longer financially sustainable. These comments were made as the province also announced a $6.4 billion funding boost for colleges and universities over four years earlier this year and the end of a seven-year tuition freeze.
Ford previously said the province is facing a $2.5-billion shortfall in post-secondary funding. You can read earlier coverage here.
In Cobourg, students are still participating today, gathering at Victoria Hall starting at 12:30 p.m.
In Brighton, students will now gather on March 24 at Memorial Park.
