University on a tinder box: “Students step up strike action”
Disgruntled students hailing from several Universities and high colleges staged on Sunday a mass rally in front of the premises of the Ministry of higher education and scientific research in upper Algiers to press for their claims linked to the certification of their respective diplomas and the settlement of other vexed questions related to their end of studies' cycle.
- The protesters who came from several provinces of the country chanted slogans in favour of the fulfillment of their rights and for the departure of the higher education and scientific research Minister Rachid Harraoubia himself whom they accused of deliberately turning a deaf ear to their long-neglected concerns and grievances.
- Security forces sealed off all the areas leading to the higher education Ministry in a bid to prevent things from sliding out of control but some rash students managed to climb over the wall surrounding the Ministry premises and posted placards on which their pressing claims were written in bold letters.
- This student action was also beefed up by the participation of numerous university teachers who decided to form in solidarity with the striking students a so-called “coordination of independent students” in order to prop up the growing protest movement.