Education Action Network

BY APRIL HTUN

The Education Action Network (EAN) is an activism platform of the Education Council that unites all UWA students who care about their education, want to be informed on all local and national issues relating to higher education, and wish to get involved in advocating for a high-quality education experience at UWA. In 2021, the EAN was coordinated by Nicole McEwen.

This year saw one of the most significant cuts to higher education following the defunding of universities and fee hikes orchestrated by the Liberal Government and Education Minister Dan Tehan in 2020, generating a tumultuous student fightback across the country. With these issues in conjunction with UWA’s $70 million structural deficit, the EAN’s focus this year has been on fighting the restructure. After the announcement of the School of Social Sciences being the first to undergo organisational change, a fightback campaign was created which gained incredible momentum. Innumerable protests, petitions, and forums were organised to oppose the rescission of courses, sacking of staff, and any initiative that sought to decrease our quality of education. 2021 saw the EAN achieve many amazing feats, including a Senate protest, the first UWA student occupancy since 2004, and most importantly, the calling of a referendum that asked students if they reject the restructure – which got an overwhelming Yes vote! The EAN’s campaign gained the support of the National Union of Students (NUS), with the Education Officer assisting in contributing to the fightback. An Education National Week of Action was organised by the NUS that encouraged student unions across Australia to get involved with their own Day of Action. The EAN participated with a banner drop that promoted the Senate Protest. The campaign was also supported by UWA’s Faculty Societies, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Guild Councillors, and the WA Cross-Campus Education Network.

The UWA student fightback remains highly active and successful, resulting in the attraction of widespread media attention and the establishment of a great activist community via the newly formed UWA Education Organising Group.

It is magnificent to see students and staff from all corners of campus unite to stand in solidarity with one another in light of these restructures. The EAN has shown the power of student activism and, with more cuts to be proposed from 2022 onwards, the importance of maintaining a fightback if we are to save our education and UWA.