Spanish students angry over education reforms

Spanish students are angry over government university reforms. Their two-day strike ended with a nation-wide demonstration. In Madrid thousands took to the streets to voice their disapproval of the new measures. A new law approved in January shortens undergraduate degrees to three years instead of four making them more obsolete. Master’s degrees, which are much more expensive, have been extended to two years.

The Minister of Education Jose Ignacio Wert has become the most unpopular minister in government with an approval rating of just 1 per cent.

Anti-austerity platforms, trade unions and left-wing parties such as Podemos and United Left have also joined the fight. Since private universities offer more master’s degrees than public ones they will benefit much more from this reform.

A referendum organized by the platform against education cuts will be held on the 11th-13th of March. If the government continues to ignore the protestors’ cries they will continue to take the streets until their voices are heard.