Tax the Rich to Fund Education?

On my way back, I spotted this little protest outside the GuildHall, today. I still find these protests a strange curiousity and an interesting form of democracy that I have *never* experienced in Malaysia.

From time to time, crazy students will brave the cold, and sit in a cage on the front of King's College, to protest prisoners of conscience in Myanmar [or some other regime]. Other times, King's Parade would be flooded with people in yellow suits protesting the treatment of Falun Gong members in China.

A few weeks ago, I saw a bunch of people protesting for animal rights, bringing troops home from Iraq, national ID card plans, and even college investment in arms trade. So, things are fairly interesting around here. It shows that the students here can be quite passionate about many issues [and also that they have got ample time on their hands].

Sometimes, I do agree with what they're protesting against. But from time to time, I just don't quite get it. Like this one. Students here do not like the fact that they have to pay up to GBP 3,000 for one year of university education. They believe that it's their birth right to be educated. What I don't see is why the rich are obligated to fund these kid's education.

University education is not a birth right anywhere in the world. It is something that needs to be worked for and appreciated. People need to understand that. Then, and maybe then, they would not go on their drunken binges and piss their life away. What these kids need is a good education on priorities, not more money for drinks.