Viva La Revolucion!

Valentina Latorre to Hold Teach-In for Nova Scotia's Students

by Miles Howe

Valentina Latorre, Vice-President of the Student Federation of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Speaks Tonight at SMU. Photo: Miles Howe

As Nova Scotia's Universities stand to suffer yet more cut-backs, and higher tuitions, it seems like time to call in the reinforcements...

Enter stage left Valentina Latorre. The Vice-President of the Student Federation of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile has been helping to organize the student revolution in Chile, where hundreds of thousands now take to the streets demanding free secondary, and post-secondary, education.

Granted, the scholastic situation in Chile is a bit different than that of Nova Scotia, in that the majority of secondary education is privatized, and the cost of post-secondary education, as related to an average annual salary, is significantly higher.

But the trend towards keeping education in the hands of the priviledged few, and burdening those without a golden goose at home with crippling debt loads, are already well-established here. The average post-secondary student in Nova Scotia will graduate with over $30,000 in debt, and are consistently getting less education for their dollar.

The time to take to the streets is well upon us, and, in preparation for February 1st's National Student Day of Action, Latorre will be holding at teach-in tonight at the Scotia Bank Theatre at Saint Mary's University, from 6:30-9:30pm.

Please enjoy the following conversation with Valentina Latorre.

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