Albania: Some universities begin academic year with protests

The new academic year in Albania began on Monday with boycott and protest by some professors in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Shkodra and Gjirokastra.

Exceptions made the University of Medicine, where learning began normally, as well as two universities in Vlora and Korca: Ismail Kemal and Fan Noley.

By 8: 00 a.m., students of the first year were welcomed into other departments, but no instruction was conducted.

Then, about two hours later, most of the professors gathered in front of the teaching schools to protest.

However, there was also divisions among the professors, since not all joined the protest.

Pedagogs in Albania started protests from September 15th, and by October 17th four teams have realised with key demands: wage increases per 50 per cent, increased payments for additional hours and increased financing for scientific research.

Two weeks ago, the government made the decision to raise salaries for teachers and aid staff by 7 percent.

Currently, the wages of teachers in higher education in Albania range from $73,000 (about 630 euros) to 130 thousand (about 1.120 euros), depending on the titles and positions they have at the faculty.

Monday's protest closed at 11:00.

The head of the High Education Workers' Union, Sander Kovaci, said that on Tuesday the protests would begin by 0800 a.m.

He added that they no longer expect an answer from Education Minister Evis Kushi, but from Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama.

We expect today's reaction from the Government to set the steps we will take. If there is no reaction, we will escalate the protest and gather in front of the prime minister, so that our voice will be heard better”, Kovac said.

For professors who did not join the protest, Kovac warned that there would soon be a veto of the income and property they possess.

Even though students did not join the protest in mass, Kovaci said young people are at their side, and this will be seen in the coming days.. /full text in rel/