AS a student at Oxford Brookes University, paying £9,000 per year in tuition fees, I find myself deeply frustrated at the constant strike action occurring this year.

So far I have missed two lectures and am due to miss at least two more. However, others I know have been affected even more – missing up to four lectures so far.

This may seem inconsequential to some. However, as an undergraduate law student, I have been repeatedly told by lecturers that each and every lecture is vital to pass exams. If this is so, why on earth do they see fit not to teach them?

I have been told by lecturers that upcoming lectures – which I am due to miss as a result of strike action – are of key significance to my exam, being one of the main topics for the module.

I am frustrated that, despite paying a huge amount for this education, I will not be taught the vital elements of my course. I am supposed to teach this myself. This begs the question then: what am I – and others like me – paying for?

The unions are on strike in order to achieve a more significant pay rise. I find this difficult to swallow since they are getting a pay increase of one per cent, but they believe this to be insufficient.

On the other hand, many people I know in work have gone two to three years without a pay rise at all. I believe that lecturers are in a privileged position to be offered a pay rise in such difficult times.

Walking to lectures this week, I was approached by a group of protesting lecturers offering me a sticker so I can show my ‘support’ for their cause. A polite decline of that offer was made.

I believe – and others have agreed – that it is almost offensive to ask us students to get behind the lecturers in their strike action.

The strike has meant that many students have missed out on vital information – for which we have all paid and will continue to pay for pretty much the rest of our lives.

As a second year student, I was unfortunate enough to be caught by the £9,000 tuition fee hike. Add to this the gaps in my teaching and the attitudes of some staff regarding strike action, I would say the unions need to strongly consider the impact of their actions.

ZOE GOLDSBURY
Berinsfield