European AwakeningHuman Rights

Spanish students, teachers hold rallies

Thousands of Spanish students have flooded the streets in the capital of Madrid to protest at the government’s austerity measures, including cuts in the public education budget.

The protest rally, staged by at least 2000 students, took place on Thursday after Spain’s national student union called for a general strike in 35 Spanish cities, stressing that the government’s austerity measures are disassembling the country’s public education, Al Jazeera reported.

The protesters marched throughout the city behind a banner reading “Defend public education, make cuts for bankers.”

“Yes, there is money, but the bankers have it” and “Less vultures and more desks” were among the mottos shouted by the demonstrators.

On Wednesday, Spanish secondary school teachers staged their fifth walkout since September, protesting layoffs, while 85 percent of students have reportedly boycotted classes in the capital to support their instructors.

“We have less teachers this year, they closed the library because there is no one to work at it,” said Alicia Fernandez, a 16-year-old high school student.

Teachers, students, and parents from across Spain are expected to stage further rallies in Madrid on October 22 similarly censuring the spending cuts.

The country’s education budgets are controlled by regional governments, many of which are struggling with huge debts.

A worsening eurozone debt crisis has raised Spain’s financing costs and created fears that the European country might have to seek an EU bailout like Greece.

Many Spaniards blame the government for their hardships, stressing that the authorities had failed to properly address the country’s economic situation.

Spain has the highest unemployment rate in the 27-nation EU, with a jobless rate of more than 21 percent.

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