P.E.I.'s post-secondary students struggling without government support, says student union

Post-secondary students on P.E.I. are struggling and need more support from the government to be able to meet their needs, members of UPEI's student union say. 

Union members presented six recommendations to MLAs at the standing committee on education and economic growth on Thursday. 

"These recommendations aren't only about education. They're also really to sustain the future of P.E.I. and ensure that the economy keeps going and developing… by retaining young talent," said Shreesh Agrawal, vice president of UPEI's student union. 

While the supports currently in place are appreciated, they aren't enough to meet the needs of students, Agrawal said. 

Some students are skipping meals, stuck in poor living conditions or working multiple jobs on top of taking classes, Agrawal said. 

Agrawal and the UPEI student union presented the following recommendations to MLAs: 

• Remove unfair barriers to financial aid

• Expand the George Coles Bursary 

• Increase the ceiling for student financial support

• Establish limits on tuition increases

• Supplement international student academic experience 

• Facilitate transition of students into workforce

MLA Reaction 

The student union's recommendations were "very articulate, very well-presented and very reasonable," said Green Party MLA Karla Bernard. 

"We should be doing everything we can to support students while they're in school. They are going to be our future work force, our future society," Bernard said.

Government support doesn't necessarily mean financial support, Bernard said. 

It could also mean making changes to regulations and legislation to ensure those who need help can access it, Bernard said. 

"I don't think it's the province's responsibility to step in if someone's not able to afford education, but I do think it's a responsibility to evaluate what they offer students currently," Bernard said. 

The example of removing parents' income as a consideration for student loans would make a huge difference, Bernard said. 

"Seventy-two per cent of students don't get support from their parents, but it is assumed by the province that they do and it impacts the amount of money that they're able to receive."

Next steps

The MLAs in the committee meeting were receptive to the union's presentation, Agrawal said. 

"I was scared coming into it but it went very well," Agrawal said. 

A report including the union's recommendations will be sent to the government for consideration.