The cities and towns across the UK are bracing for more student protests ahead of a crucial vote in Parliament on plans to increase university tuition fees.
The British student groups and university professors have vowed to step up pressure on Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote against any motion that tightens grip on the students and their families, British media reported.
The pledge came after the country was rocked with a wave of demonstrations and occupations in recent weeks, some of which flared into violence.
A vote on the controversial plan to increase university tuition fees in England and Wales is expected on Thursday, December 9.
The new policy on fees will allow universities to double the current tuition fees from £3,290 per year to around £6,000. Some universities will also be allowed to get special approval from the Office For Fair Access (OFFA) to raise their fees to £9,000 per year.
If approved, the new fee procedure will be applicable by law from the beginning of the academic year of 2012-13.
The University and College Union (UCU) and the National Union of Students (NUS) on Monday announced their plans for the week's protests in their joint campaign against education cuts.
They revealed plans for demonstrations at universities across the country on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's vote.
"These proposals, if they go through, will change the entire landscape of education in this country and we must continue to oppose them. We need to expose the damage they will do to our universities, colleges and communities. MPs must be left in no doubt of the strength of opposition to these plans and the consequences of voting for them. We have been overwhelmed by support from people across the country against these plans and we hope they will all join us in making their voice heard this week," said UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt.
"The joint NUS and UCU march that brought together 50,0000 people on 10 November has provided the spur to a new wave of activism and lobbying, placing the Government's policy on fees and student support policy under huge pressure. This week we must keep that pressure up as the vote approaches. MPs can be left in no doubt as to the widespread public opposition to these plans or of the consequences of steamrollering them through Parliament," said NUS President Aaron Porter.
Some trade unions are also urging their members to join the protests, maintaining that students are in the front line of opposition to the government's massive cuts in public spending.
"This campaign is very much in the front line of the fight back against the ConDem cuts and has united pensioners, students and trade unionists in an imaginative and co-ordinated coalition of resistance. It has exposed the lies and hypocrisy of the LibDems and has opened up serious cracks in the coalition that we can all drive a wedge into,” said Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT).
"RMT was delighted to have students supporting our picket lines during the last Tube strike and we will make sure that there is a high-profile presence from RMT supporting the students in their action this week," he said.
MOL/TG/HE
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