Student leaders argue that university education in Colombia can be free, public and of a high quality, reported Caracol Radio Monday.
According to student leader Sergio Fernandez, free education will cost the government around $1,500 per student per year while a soldier costs the nation over $9,000 per year.
The student leader made the comments following the removal of a controversial bill to reform higher education Wednesday. The decision to remove the bill, which came after months of protests across the country and an ongoing student strike, has been hailed as “a victory for those who believe education is a right.”
The student from the National University pointed out three possible options for funding; either take funds away from foreign debt repayments, from the national defense budget, or from tax exemptions.
Fernandez rejected the views expressed by former politician-turned-radio presenter Francisco Santos who said that student protesters should be electrocuted using tasers.
“It makes one wonder what would happen if I said that on radio. Why can a person with last name ‘Santos’ say something like that and another person no?” argued Fernandez.