The commitment comes after the week’s Reclaim Your Voice march and demo on 22 March that saw over 4000 students, lecturers, parents and pupils march to the Scottish Parliament to launch the election campaign.
Students will now be working across the country to secure similar commitments from candidates across all of the parties ahead of May’s elections. The day before the election tens of thousands of students across Scotland will be told which of their candidates have and have not signed up to the campaign’s commitments.
Patrick Harvie, Co-convenor of the Scottish Greens, said: "Defending Scotland's higher education system from the market madness being inflicted down south isn't just right for students, it's right for everyone in Scotland. We all benefit if our education system has places for those able to get the most out of it, and isn't just reserved for the better off. The Scottish Greens therefore fully support NUS Scotland's Reclaim Your Voice campaign, even if politicians from other parties have a track record that's undermined the credibility of promises made to students.
"Not only will we oppose a return to tuition fees in Scotland, we'll oppose a graduate tax too. There already is one, and it's called income tax. We also know that closing down places and shutting departments weakens higher education for the longer term. The NUS Scotland campaign therefore poses a tough question for the other parties who want to look like they're backing students: where's the money coming from? Only the Greens are ready with an alternative to the cuts, built on fairer taxes so the wealthiest pay more and public services can be protected. That way we know we can fund higher education properly and keep fees out for the long term."
Liam Burns, President of NUS Scotland, said: “The Scottish Greens have shown that they’re fully committed to Scotland’s students. This is testament to the hard work of thousands of students over the last few weeks and months. By backing our campaign and committing to fight fees, protect numbers and improve financial help for students during the next parliament it’s clear that the voice of students in Scotland is beginning to be heard loud and clear."