PUPILS in Stanmore refused to go back to lessons today as they protested against tuition fees.

Teenagers at Park High School, in Thistlecroft Gardens, started the rally on school grounds at midday and have been chanting “no ifs, no buts, no education cuts”.

MPs are currently debating proposals to triple fees for university education, passing the cost onto students.

They will vote on a bill later today as thousands rally in central London against the hike.

Safia Bharde, 14, a pupil at Park High, said: “It was freezing cold out there but we did stick to our guns.

“Everyone is really passionate about it. We want our voices to be heard by the people in power and teachers. We want to be able to go to university for our futures.

“It's going to affect us the most so we would like to have a say. If fees are increased we are all going to be devastated. It's outrageous and we really strongly disagree with that.

“That's the main reason we held the protest to get our point across.”

Safia has collected a petition against the fee hike which has now reached 300 names, which she will send to Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, her constituency.

Mr Blackman signed a pledge before the election to vote against any increase in tuition fees but now says he backs the Government's plans.

He faced accusations of “treachery” from Tony McNulty, whose seat he took in May, but claims the planned fee hike will be better for students.

University of Westminster students and Harrow College students are down at the demonstration in central London and have been lobbying MPs over the past few days.