University of Otago student Hayley Gyto (19) protests
against cuts to the education budget during a march which
began at the Otago Museum Reserve on Saturday. Photo by
Peter McIntosh.
"Where are your priorities Mr Key?" That was the main
message delivered to Dunedin residents by more than 50 people
who took to the streets on Saturday to protest against the
Government's $30 million cut to the education budget.
Protester and Otago Polytechnic student Sean Mueller said the
Government had "clearly got its priorities wrong".
"It is sending out the message 'Prisons rather than adult
education', and is prepared to spend an estimated $40 million
to send 70 SAS soldiers to Afghanistan to help the USA fight
an unjust and illegal war, at the same time planning to cut
over $30 million in adult education funding," he said.
While the Government continued to pour money into the war in
Afghanistan, thousands of New Zealanders would lose adult
community education and the training incentive allowance,
which meant many people living on benefits would no longer be
able to continue their training.
Mr Mueller said New Zealanders could not accept the planned
cuts in education because education was the nation's future.
"Well-educated New Zealanders are vital in helping New
Zealand secure a sustainable future."
The protesters marched from the Otago Museum Reserve, up
George St to the Octagon.
Students and concerned New Zealanders were urged to get
together and plan other protests in other locations, in a bid
to help the Government redefine its priorities.
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