Ógra Protest to keep EMA

The Derry cumann of Ógra Shinn Fein have recently attended a protest to highlight the growing concern that education maintenance allowance may be cut in the north.

The protest, which had several hundred in attendace, comes after the decision was made to scrap the 30 pound allowance from students of low income families throughout England.

Speaking on this imperative issue, Cúige Uladh organiser, Pádraig Quinn said:

"The recent decision by the Tory government to scrap the education maintenance allowance in England, has presented many valid and serious fears for students within the north.

EMA is not just a ‘token thirty pound’ a week, or a small incentive to stay in full time education; it is for a lot of young people, and indeed their family’s, the deciding factor in whether they can afford to continue education, or be forced to go straight into the workplace.

Over the past few weeks, Sinn Fein have made it very clear that EMA needs to be retained to ensure that those who wish to pursue their education are able to do so.

Thankfully, the ultimate decision lies with the assembly and not within destructive, cut-crazy Tory hands.

Danny Kennedy, the minister of employment and learning, has not yet committed to retaining EMA, and by doing so has only amplified the level of unease and uncertainty among students.

This is simply not good enough!

Ogra are calling on Mr Kennedy, and indeed all MLA's to stand by the young people of the north, and ensure that they have the option of choosing there own destiny, unhindered by money or any other restricting element

Ogra will continue to campaign on this important issue, voicing the concern of all young people until there is a guarantee that EMA will not be cut, no mater what!"