Where’s the Funding?

As the British Columbia provincial elections are nearing in May 2013, the topic of post secondary education have been on the buzz. BC, a province which used to be the best in accessible PSE systems, is currently competing for the worst. With tuition doubling, cuts in funding, and sky rocketing interest rates on student loans, students find themselves struggling to pay off debt.

For this reason, it is of crucial importance that the political parties are stating their plans for PSE for this upcoming election. The NDP have noted this issue and promises to bring back $100 million for needs-based grants, whereas the BC Liberals emphasizes on capital projects at institutions, higher student loan interest, and ridding grants programs. The Conservatives and the Green parties have been quiet about this issue.

The key points to equality for every student to receive post secondary education are needs-based grants, student loan interest rates, and “core funding”. Many students are actively engaged in this issue (shown through Where’s The Funding? campaign) and strongly opinionated when it comes to lowering their financial stress. Thus, PSE needs to be at the top of each party’s priorities “if they are serious about economic growth and job creation.”

For full article visit http://www.straight.com/article-802656/vancouver/lucia-orser-postsecondary-education-will-be-key-bc-election-issue-2013