Quinte Region high school students protest education cuts

Thousands of high school students from across the province, including those in the Quinte Region, took part in a mass protest against proposed cuts to education funding and programs on Thursday.

Quinte News’ David Foot visited schools in Belleville and filed this report.

At Eastside Secondary School in Belleville grade 11 student Meghan Walton told Quinte News it was important for students to support teachers, who aren’t able to leave class and voice their own concerns.

Students at St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School in Belleville protest proposed education cuts, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Will Kyte is a grade 12 student at Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville and says while he’s set to graduate at the end of the school year, it’s important to make sure younger students are supported moving forward.

At St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School in Belleville, grade 12 student Camryn Shortt told Quinte News people need to be aware of the potential changes, which will affect more than just students returning to high school.

Students at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville protest proposed education cuts, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

And grade 12 student Megan Zelle, from Centennial Secondary School says the increases to class sizes and cuts to programs, will continue to have a negative impact on current and future teachers and students down the road.

Protests were also held at high schools in Trenton and Prince Edward County as well, with photos from the protests across the region available below.

Students at Eastside Secondary School in Belleville protest proposed education cuts, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Students at Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville protest proposed education cuts, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Students at St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School in Belleville protest proposed education cuts, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Students at Centennial Secondary School in Belleville protest proposed education cuts, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Students at Trenton High School protest proposed changes and cuts to Ontario’s education system, on April 4, 2019. (Photo: Submitted / Duncan Armstrong)

Students from Ecole Secondaire Publique Marc-Garneau protested as well in Trenton but had to move away from school grounds as protests are forbidden on military property. (Photo: Duncan Armstrong)