EDUCATIONAL CRISIS: A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES
Press Statement
March 4, 2010
Reference: Ivan Penetrante
Anakbayan San Diego stands in solidarity with the people mobilizing on this nationwide day of action, March 4, 2010, to defend education. This mass mobilization shows that the people will not tolerate the mismanagement of their society.
Here in California the people are fed up and are demanding a new educational system. Governor Schwarzanegger is correct in pointing out that the state is spending more on prisons than on public education. However, the politicians in California are incorrect in expressing that the educational crisis stems from a lack of resources. The real issue is one of priorities: California is one of wealthiest economies in the world, but politicians would rather be in line with big business, and are not prioritizing the rights and needs of the people.
The current world economic crisis has exacerbated an existing trend of bad educational policies. Since 2001 educational spending has dropped dramatically. The Cal State system has fallen 21%, while state support for the University of California has plummeted 30%. In the past, California was once a leading state in per student expenditures. It now ranks 24th. In the UC system alone, student fees have risen 32%. In addition, many campuses have resorted to Furloughs affecting the student/teacher educational process. Essentially, the people are paying more for bad quality.
“…It takes the voices of many to muffle out the sounds of lies spewed about a lack of resources and funding, when overseas the U.S. continues to support wars and personalized training for armed forces in other countries,” says Raymond Ferrer, member of Anakbayan San Diego. “We must let our state and national leaders know that as long as tuition and class sizes continue to increase, and the quality of our education declines, we will not simply keep quiet.”
Anakbayan San Diego encourages the people to SPEAK OUT and DEMAND a better educational system!
EDUCATIONAL ACCESS FOR ALL!
STOP PRIVATIZATION OF EDUCATION!
MONEY FOR SCHOOLS NOT PRISONS!
BAILOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION!
Video: Raymond Ferrer member speaks
Anakbayan SD 