Biggest cut to post-secondary education in 20 years, says student organization

The Council of Alberta University Students says Thursday’s Alberta budget is a huge blow to post-secondary education.

Minister of Finance Doug Horner announced a cut of almost seven per cent to operating grants to universities, colleges, and technical institutes.

“This is the biggest cut to post-secondary education in 20 years. These cuts are going to have an immediate impact on the quality of our post-secondary education, and potentially longer impacts on the affordability and accessibility of degrees in Alberta,” said Raphael Jacob, chair of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) and VP External of the University of Calgary Students’ Union.

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“This will mean larger class sizes, more restricted class selection, and the prospects of downloading costs onto students that will price it out of the reach of many.”

The group is also upset the province is ending the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) which helps fund summer employment opportunities in Alberta’s non-profit sector for post-secondary students.

The province says tuition increases for students will not be allowed to rise above the mandated 2.15 per cent.