Students release major policy paper on post-secondary education

OTTAWA, Oct 4 /CNW/ - Investments in post-secondary education, support for Aboriginal students, graduate research, and reducing student debt are essential to Canada's future economic success, according to a policy paper released today by the Canadian Federation of Students.

"The federal government is not doing enough," said David Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Skyrocketing tuition fees and record high levels of student debt are symptoms of a bigger problem: Canada lacks a national vision for post-secondary education."

Students from across the country have traveled to Ottawa to meet with elected leaders this week as part of the Canadian Federation of Students' lobby week. Public Education for the Public Good: a National Vision for Canada's Post-Secondary Education System was released in advance of over 175 meetings with Members of Parliament and Senators including the Chair of the Conservative Party's Post-Secondary Education Caucus Rod Bruinooge, Leader of the Official Opposition Michael Ignatieff, and Leader of the New Democratic Party Jack Layton. The main recommendation of the paper is the adoption of a post-secondary education act that sets out a national vision for higher education.

"Students are paying higher fees and taking on more education-related debt than any previous generation," added Molenhuis. "Burdening a generation with billions of dollars of debt will have far reaching implications."

The document is available for download at www.cfs-fcee.ca/publiceducation.pdf.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more that one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927. 

For further information:

David Molenhuis, National Chairperson, Office 613-232-7394, Cell 613-218-3382