"International Student Movement"

Würzburg, Oct.25:
Free Education Giant Banner drop
Warm up for the "Global Weeks of Action"

Following a decision by the Federal Constitutional Court in 2005, it was legal by federal states in Germany to allow the introduction of general tuition fees. In reaction to this eight federal states (out of 16) introduced new laws allowing universities to charge general tuition fees (usually between €300 and €700). This kicked off a massive wave of protests: city centres, railway stations and highways were blocked, fee boycotts were organised and university buildings squatted. All these activities helped to keep the issue of tuition fees in the public discourse and opposition parties realised they could get more public support by promissing to abolish tuition fees again.

The resistance against fees continued for years and in the end they were abolished again in 6 out of the 8 federal states. Currently only Lower-Saxony and Bavaria are able to uphoald to charge general tuition fees.

Nonetheless - just like around the world - the commercialisation process also continues across Germany: dependencies on private investors increase, more and more professors are paid by "third parties" for their research and teaching, the pressure to perform constantly increases making us sick, democratic structures at schools and universities are destroyed and replaced with management structures similar to those in profit-driven companies, just to name a few symptoms.

Groups across Germany recently met in Berlin and decided to call for a day of action on November 17th directly linked to the "Global Weeks of Action for Education" (Nov. 7-20th).

In this context activists in Würzburg (city in Bavaria) staged a giant banner drop at the Fortress Marienberg saying "FREIE BILDUNG" (= Free Education).

        

They sent out the following press release:

  

translation:

Education Protest Würzburg

To the press

Würzburg, 25/10/2011

Dear press,

We, the "Education Protest Würzburg" would like to inform you about the current activities and their intentions at the Fortress Marienberg:

With this action and words we don't just see ourself in the context of the "Bundesweiten Bildungsstreiks" (federal education strike, network of education activist groups across Germany), but also as part of the "Global Weeks of Action for Education" as well as the global #occupy movement.

Our concerns behind this action can be summarised in two very significant words: "Free Education"! We want to be heard and seen. That's why we put up these banners at the fortress, which can't be ignored so easily.

Itemised we stand for the same points for which activists on the "Bundesweite Bildungsstreik" have been struggling for in the past few years. Nonetheless the political establishment is not really paying attention.

So here we state it again for everyone who doesn't know it anymore or thought that the protest already dissolved:

It is not the size that matters...

...but the message!!!

Due to the failed education policies for the past decades we can now clearly observe the many grievances!

This concerns all educational institutions as well as youth and social work, which are suffering due to the massive cuts. To list all the problems here would create an endless enumeration. Therefore we decided to focus on these twelve points:

Free Education!
Reclaiming Independence!
Excellence Initiative and Elite Leadership Aid - NO, thanks!
Individuality wanted!
Commitment instead of dog-eat-dog society!

Bologna Process and G8 (G8 = reduction of numbers of school years for A'levels):
Turning Inclusion into Reality, instead of flogging it to death!

Overcoming Mertiocracy!
Give Democracy a Chance!
Ensuring independence of Research and Teaching!
State of Emergency wherever we look!
Education as a Basic Right!

For people who see things as we do (or similarly) there are ways to get actively involved. They can express their outrage on November 17th at local rallies against the current state of affairs within education. People can also become active straight away by participating in the ongoing referendum against tuition fees and signing petitions.

For more details on the above mentioned points we suggest you visit our homepage: www.bildungsprotest-wuerzburg.de

Feel free to contact us, if you have any questions: or by phone: +49 163 7321886

Regards,
the Education Protest Würzburg.