Take to the streets in defense of university and public education in Argentina

Hundreds of thousands of students took to the streets across the country for public education. In good air, the epicenter was concentrated between the 13 blocks that separate Congress from Casa Rosada, headquarters of the Executive. Every square meter was covered by the steps of the students who marched”in defense of public universities Argentina”.

The mobilization brought together around 800 thousand people, who faced the “definancing”. In addition to flags, posters and banners, many brought their books. Those texts that accompany them during each course, as a symbol of weapons against “educational ignorance raised by Milei”.

LOOK HERE: Argentina: Hundreds of thousands of people march against Milei’s adaptation to public universities

A young student of Philosophy and Letters arrived in the capital from the northern province of Tucumán. To study Education sciences at the national university of his province and considered this march to be a promising starting point for his future.

A protester holds a sign that says “Without universities there is no future” during a protest march for the budget adjustment of public universities, in Buenos Aires, on April 23, 2024. (Photo by Emiliano Lasalvia / AFP) (EMILIANO LASALVIA /)

“In a way, the importance of sustaining, defending and rethinking the public university begins to be discussed. Before (Milei) you could study. Our university was functioning, had an adequate budget and our teachers received their salaries, but now it is becoming difficult“, he said Juliano Araoz for EFE.

Students like Julián raised their voice against having classes in the dark or continuing to see their classrooms damaged by the passage of time and without money to repair the neglect, which leads to a budget freeze.

This is the case of Felicitas, who is being trained to educate children from The slaughterone of the largest and most impoverished cities in the province of good airat the Instituto Superior N°82 “Carlos Fuentealba”, which depends on state management. He is afraid of not being able to graduate due to lack of budget.

“This demonstration is not against the Government, but in favor of education. The lack of maintenance means we can’t have classes because it floods when it rains. Added to the lack of safe corridors is the insecurity and shortage of teachers, as there is no money to pay them“, the future teacher told EFE.

Protesters hold signs during a protest march against the budget adjustment of public universities, in Buenos Aires, on April 23, 2024. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP) (LUIS ROBAYO/)

At a national level, and for months, the authorities of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) warned that they had sufficient funds to maintain the educational system until next May, so, “they would have to close”.

Political march?

In the streets, hundreds of columns formed by unions, left and center social and political organizations gathered to accompany the students towards the may Square. Renowned figures such as the Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Pérez Esquivel It is Taty Almeida of Founding Line of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo -both teachers- joined the march.

MORE INFORMATION: In budget emergency, universities defy Milei cuts in Argentina

This was enough for the Government of Javier Milei to label the demonstration as contaminated by political interests. However, university students are excited to have the support of human rights representatives.

“I think it’s great that they (Pérez Esquivel and Taty Almeida) came because human rights organizations are sectors that have contributed to education. It is a great gesture and necessary for them to be“Julián added.

They hope that social pressure will be enough to force the hand of the libertarian Executive to provide more resources to support universities.

Sebastian Barcovicharchitecture student at UBA, told EFE that public university education is necessary. It is one of “most important facets we have as a nation”.

“I am the first generation of university students in my family and this possibility of studying is the best investment. Then I can pay it forward with my professional work.”, he indicated.

Aerial view during a protest march against the budget adjustment of public universities, in Buenos Aires, on April 23, 2024. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP) (LUIS ROBAYO/)

‘Not with the boys’

The Government perceived this march from a paternalistic and condescending perspective, where they would be “dressing” for students to “political interests”. Furthermore, they considered that the discussion on budget lines “it is resolved” It is “transferred“, despite the vice-rector of UBA, Emiliano Yacobittihave denied on several occasions that they had reached an agreement.

The alleged agreement consisted of the Ministry of Human Capital depositing around 11.5 million dollars for 100% of the colleges and around 13.5 million dollars for the university hospitals. Some students compared this “a grandmother giving money when her grandchildren visit her”.

SEE TOO: Nobel laureate Pérez Esquivel and other human rights activists promote political trial against Milei

The march continues. Thousands of people filled the Plaza de Mayo, hugging the fences that separated them from the main stage. One of the protesters, Patricio Torres Diazworks in the communications area of ​​a brewery and told EFE that when he was a student “UBA has always had problems, but the sustainability of education has never been in doubt”.

“We are under a government that intends to defund not only the university, but also the State in general and boasts about it. We must put our bodies on the streets in front of a State that devalues ​​everything that is a social construction and educational community.”, he commented.

When night arrives, deconcentration begins. Thousands of young people have the opportunity to return home, but keep their heads held high. They know that the fight for the future of public education has just begun and this is a “good start”.

Source: Elcomercio