How can students fight back against rip-off Covid imprisonment?

Universities have enticed students onto courses with promises of a learning experience that never materialised – then trapped them there under lockdown to suck out fees and rent.

Overcrowding on campus and in housing is causing major material and mental health crises. Jobs and teaching quality have nosedived – after already suffering from years of marketisation.

Meanwhile, the official student organisations have deserted the field. And Starmer’s Labour has ignored the pressing problems of students and young people as it cravenly backs the Tory government’s approach.

This episode of Socialism looks at the crisis in the universities: how can students fight back?

Further reading

• Join Socialist Students: https://socialiststudents.org.uk/join/
• Covid and the campuses: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/31379/23-09-2020/covid-and-the-campuses
• Students not to blame for unsafe uni conditions: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/31464/14-10-2020/students-not-to-blame-for-unsafe-uni-conditions
• Students trapped on Covid campuses speak out: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/31402/30-09-2020/students-trapped-on-covid-campuses-speak-out
• Solidarity with Manchester students - fight for democratic control of campus safety: https://socialiststudents.org.uk/2020/11/06/solidarity-with-manchester-students-fight-for-democratic-control-of-campus-safety/
• Corbyn suspended - Time to fight for a new mass workers' party: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/31582/03-11-2020/corbyn-suspended-time-to-fight-for-a-new-mass-workers-party
• US: Narrow poll lead for Biden in highly polarised elections: https://www.socialistworld.net/2020/11/05/us-narrow-poll-lead-for-biden-in-highly-polarised-elections/