AROUND 300 school children protested against the proposed hike in tuition fees in Monmouthshire yesterday.

More than 250 pupils from Chepstow Comprehensive and Wydean schools gathered around Chepstow’s war memorial, while 40 Monmouth Comprehensive School sixth formers protested in Monmouth town centre.

Their demonstrations were part of a national day of protest against government plans to raise university tuition fees to £9,000 a year and cut university teaching budgets in some subjects - involving demonstrations by hundreds of schools and universities across the UK.

In Chepstow, eyewitnesses said two pupils climbed onto the roof of shoe shop Stead and Simpson and others waved placards and banners highlighting their opposition to the coalition government’s proposals.

Among the messages displayed on their placards were: "Don’t deny the youth of today a future tomorrow", "Education is a right" and "Don’t take our rights".

Some pupils left lessons at 11am and marched from the two schools to the memorial, where they stayed for two hours before returning to school.

Some passers-by complained about offensive language being used in chants and the level of noise.

Wydean School sixth former, Michael Lowe, 16, said it was important students were able to afford university, particularly in the current economic climate, and he felt their message was projected well by the protest.

Another pupil said the offence caused by some pupils’ bad language should not be condoned, but he was pleased with the majority of the crowd’s behaviour.

"We are pleased that the protest passed peacefully and thank the police for their support in allowing us to exercise our rights," he added.

Officers from Gwent and Gloucestershire police attended the protest and PC Rob Dix, of Gloucestershire police said the protest had been carried out peacefully overall.

Monmouth Comprehensive School head teacher, Carole Herman, said the school had discussed the issues with sixth formers and 40 decided to hold a quiet protest with placards.

The three-school demonstration was planned through a Facebook group set up by a Wyedean School pupil, which has 542 members.