Dear Editor,

I wish to respond to the article in the Sunday Observer of January 31, “Grow up students”. Let me say that I cannot ignore the comments that were made in the article, as well as the comments about students being misguided. Quite frankly, it’s writers like you who are supporting the freeze on subsidies to tertiary institutions, and are the ones who are “misguided”.

The fact that we had a silent protest suggests that we are grown, and have acted mature.

“We know that the IMF-ordered freeze on subsidies to tertiary institutions is going to pinch many students where it already hurts.” Come on people, don’t you think that “pinch” is an understatement? This freeze on subsidies will not pinch us, it will literally cut some of us out of school when the Students’ Loan Bureau is unable to grant us loans. What about those who have not received student loans, yet have to struggle to pay for their education with all the related expenses, for example: hall fees for those who are unable to travel to school; meals, books and other neccesities? May I add that it is more stressful for students whose parents are both unemployed, and who are already trying to “support” themselves. I’m one of those students, hence my frustration.

“So we understand the silent protest.” So they say, but if they really understood the difficulties that some university students are facing financially, they wouldn’t support this “freeze” of subsidy. I don’t think someone who is not currently facing such challenges should pretend as if they understand when they don’t. As a matter of fact, some of us are already running on “E”, and are unable to “support ourselves”. Unfortunately, we are not working because we go to school full-time. And oh, there are no jobs available, even if we were at home.

We will not be able to join you in the real world if we are kicked out of school for non-payment of school fees.

Tashmin Minto

charm1piper@hotmail.com