Protest for a Quality Education
Three weeks ago, the students of the Education and Philosophy departments began occupying their main department buildings all day and night in protest, demanding the professors and funding they need for all their classes. They are still there. As one student mentioned, even though there are few students in those departments, they have still paid for their classes and have the right to be taught those subjects well, just like the students in the more popular majors.
During all those evenings and long nights, they don't only dedicate themselves to studying. They are, after all, young adults who would have naturally gone out and enjoyed some evenings on the town with their friends. It's part and parcel of a college education. Since they have begun their protest, though, they have supplanted those excursions with in-protest entertainment. The Philosophy students have a stash of board games of all kinds, cards included. They have a room set aside for different movies and documentaries, mostly talking about social problems. Someone brought a portable net, paddles, and a ball, and set up a ping pong table in the common room. Others give chats on different social and philosophical issues. Others gather together in study groups. Some also make signs for different protests, such as the march this past Sunday celebrating Women's Day. There's also a canteen where they eat, with a microwave and a coffee maker. One night this week, they even had a music night. Some people brought in a couple of musical instruments and they all played different songs together. Those who knew, helped play. Those who didn't simply enjoyed the impromptu concert.
These young people are serious about their education, and only want to learn, and learn well. At the moment they are planning to remain in their department buildings indefinitely until they receive the professors they need. It is, after all, their right. And it is the right of all citizens to have a well-educated youth with the knowledge to think critically, who will one day lead this country and leave behind a better place for those who will follow. Without education we'll simply descend into chaos.
During all those evenings and long nights, they don't only dedicate themselves to studying. They are, after all, young adults who would have naturally gone out and enjoyed some evenings on the town with their friends. It's part and parcel of a college education. Since they have begun their protest, though, they have supplanted those excursions with in-protest entertainment. The Philosophy students have a stash of board games of all kinds, cards included. They have a room set aside for different movies and documentaries, mostly talking about social problems. Someone brought a portable net, paddles, and a ball, and set up a ping pong table in the common room. Others give chats on different social and philosophical issues. Others gather together in study groups. Some also make signs for different protests, such as the march this past Sunday celebrating Women's Day. There's also a canteen where they eat, with a microwave and a coffee maker. One night this week, they even had a music night. Some people brought in a couple of musical instruments and they all played different songs together. Those who knew, helped play. Those who didn't simply enjoyed the impromptu concert.
These young people are serious about their education, and only want to learn, and learn well. At the moment they are planning to remain in their department buildings indefinitely until they receive the professors they need. It is, after all, their right. And it is the right of all citizens to have a well-educated youth with the knowledge to think critically, who will one day lead this country and leave behind a better place for those who will follow. Without education we'll simply descend into chaos.
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