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Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 14. July 2 1979
Education Fightback News 1
Education Fightback News 1
[unclear: uly] 26 is National Education Day. It is the big day in [unclear: a] campaign running all term in protest at Government [unclear: uts] to education spending. This campaign has the support of many education groups in the country.
On July 26, university students on every campus are [unclear: aging] mass protest activity. In Wellington, a rally on campus and a march on Parliament are planned. This will involve an organised boycott of lectures. Work is [unclear: nderway] to involve students and teachers from other [unclear: ucation] sectors in this protest. In addition, the Students' Association is working with other groups in or- [unclear: ler] that we may support their demands and unite with [unclear: hem] in joint protest activities.
Government Attacks on the Viability of Education Will Inevitably Mean a Serious Erosion of Standards and a Denial of Opportunities to Large Numbers of People.
Get Involved!
This Campaign is Planned as One of the Biggest Ever Undertaken on Campus. There [unclear: s] Lots of Work to Do. Lots of People are Needed. It Needs Your Support...........................If We Don't Fight, We Lose.
Here's what you can do:
Stalls
Every day, on campus and downtown, we want to have people sitting on stalls in prominent places. They will give out information, sell stickers and badges, sign people up for the campaign, etc. Do you and a friend have spare hour or two (or ten)?
Tutorial Speaking
We are trying to send speakers into every tutorial, to [unclear: iscuss] the cuts and the campaign, sign people up, etc. Speakers will work in pairs and be fully briefed before [unclear: nd].
Speaking to Schools
Two speakers will go to every secondary school in the [unclear: rea] to tell students and staff about the campaign, talk [unclear: bout] how the cuts are affecting them, etc.
Lecture Speaking
Before each major activity, lectures will be biltzed. It's easy once you've done it once.
Written Publicity
Laflets, banners, posters, displays, etc., all need regular production and distribution. This is one area where every spare half hour can be of use.
Writing for "Education Fightback News"
We have lots of information available on what's happening, but not enough willing writers to put it all into Print.
Organisation of Protest and Forum Activities
This is the core of the whole thing: we are drastically short of people in this area.
Anything, Just Anything Else!!
If you want more information, want to help in the above or in some other way, see the Campaign Coordinator, Campaign Room, Middle Floor, Union Building (next to Radio Active). All welcome.
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Programme
The following events are scheduled for Education Fightback:
July
Wednesday 4:
Forum: "Education and the Budget". Speakers from the National and Labour parties, the Acting Vice Chancellor, someone to put the student views 12 noon. Union Hall.
Organising meeting straight after the forum, to decide on action over: cuts on campus, the new Tertiary Grants System, July 26, etc.
Wed 4th, Thurs 5th, Fri 6th: Grard Pinball Competition. Heats during SASRAC, final Friday afternoon. Cash prizes. Enquire at the Campaign Room for details.
Tuesday 10th: Forum "Can the university cuts be made made?" Do you think somebody's getting too much or too little? Hear how and why the cuts are being made and say what you think.
Sunday 15th: Jazz Concert. Fund raising for the campaign with some of the top jazz acts around.
Tuesday 17th: Mery Wellington speaks at Polytechnic.
Wednesday 18th: Forum "What is happening to our schools?"
Friday 20th: Rock Concert fundraising for the campaign.
Thursday 26th: National Education Day: Rally and mass march on Parliament 11 am - 2pm; extended seminar activities on the state of education, afternoon.
August: Boycott of lectures from 11 am.
Wednesday 1st: Public Meeting organised by the Combined Educational Associations.
Unscheduled Activities:
Pickets, Protest Action, More Debates and Forums, You Name It and Help Organise It, We'll Do It.
Combined Action
Educational groups in the Wellington area have been meeting in the last few weeks to decide on joint action against cuts to education spending. Proposals so far fall into two categories.
The NZUSA Education Fightback campaign, climaxing on July 26 with a mass rally and march on Parliament, followed in the afternoon by an "extended seminar" on the state of education in New Zealand. Student organisations from the technical institutes and teacher trainees are expected to join us on this day. We are also encouraging students in secondary schools to support the march.
The New Zealand Combined Educational Associations (NZCEA) is also organising a mass campaign among people involved in education and the public. Through NZUSA and VUWSA we are participating in this. The CEA has registered its support for the NZUSA campaign; we are publicising CEA activities and material. A public meeting is planned for Wednesday August 1.
Academic Support
| 1) | That the VUW branch of AUT urges its members to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by their lack of attendance at classes from 11 am on Thursday 26 July. |
| 2) | That the branch of the AUT supports the concept of lobbying all MPs to urge adequate future funding of the universities. |
| 3) | That the VUW branch of the AUT urges all its members to use all appropriate channels of communication to promote awareness of the University's value in the community. |
| 4) | That this branch of the AUT set up a fund for the purpose of promoting the cause of University education and funding and calls on members to donate half a day's pay to this fund. |
Official approaches by VUWSA and the AUT to have lectures suspended on July 26 have failed (no surprise). The first motion above now reflects the AUT's official attitude to the Education Fightback campaign. In reality it means measures like the following are likely to be taken by many staff members: distribution of lecture notes, postponement of tests, rescheduling of small classes, cancellation of classes. Raise the matter with your lecturers and tutors soon to find out what they want to do.
The second motion will probably lead to comprehensive interviewing of MPs. VUWSA is planning similar activities for biter in the campaign.