Students take to the streets, ANOSR accuses cuts in education funding

The National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania (ANOSR) has announced the organization of a "manifesto for education”, scheduled for March 14 in Victoriei Square. The action is presented as a reaction to the Romanian Government's intention to allocate a smaller budget for education this year. According to the student organization, the draft budget for the Ministry of Education and Research would provide for funding approximately 3 billion lei less than that of the previous year, according to data published in the public space.

• Criticism of austerity measures

Student representatives claim that the education system is already facing a series of austerity measures introduced in the last year, which would have directly affected academic conditions and students' rights. Among the main grievances raised by ANOSR are: limiting the 90% reduction in rail transport only on the route between home and university; reducing the scholarship and social protection fund by approximately 52%; eliminating the possibility for students enrolled in fee-paying places to benefit from scholarships; granting scholarships only for the duration of teaching activities, not for the entire calendar year. According to the organization, these measures increase the financial pressure on students and affect equitable access to higher education.

• Impact on the entire educational system

ANOSR states that the decisions adopted in the last year by the authorities have had consequences on the entire educational system, not just on the university environment. In the organization's opinion, the reduction in funding and austerity policies have generated additional difficulties for pupils, students and teaching staff, amplifying existing structural problems and putting pressure on the system's capacity to ensure adequate conditions for the educational process.

• Call for mobilization

The student organization calls on students from all over the country, as well as members of the educational community, to participate in the demonstration in the capital to send "a firm message regarding the need to provide adequate funding for education”. At the same time, the member organizations of ANOSR announced that similar actions could be organized in other university centers in the country in the coming period, as a sign of solidarity. Currently, the parties in the governing coalition are negotiating on the budget allocations for this year.