One of the vice principals at Cavelier-De LaSalle High School in Montreal overheard two students speaking between classes shortly after the incident, school board representative Jean-Michel Nahas said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Universities UK - formerly the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals - is made up of the executive heads of all UK universities.

BBC: sites

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, which is holding its own inquiry into funding, has so far refused to be drawn into supporting or opposing top-up fees.

BBC: Students could face big fee rise

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals of the UK universities (CVCP) said it was itself undertaking a comprehensive study of the long-term funding options for higher education.

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But, so far, even the worst principals and vice-chancellors have kept their jobs.

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University principals (vice-chancellors) and lecturers think that restoring government grants for living expenses to poor students would be a better idea.

ECONOMIST: Tuition fees

While the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals hailed the figures as showing that the UK's university system was the match of any in the world and that drop-out rates compared favourably with international competitors.

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The report was carried out on behalf of Universities UK (UUK), which represents vice-chancellors, and the Conference of Principals, representing heads of higher education colleges.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Degree grades 'in need of update'