As the 2022-2023 academic year started on Monday in Albania, students and lecturers have warned of protests due to the government’s failure to respond to demands for higher salaries and improved working conditions.
University staff and students protested from 10-12 outside the university, despite a government decision to increase wages by 17%. They said their protests and boycotts would continue until their demands, namely a 50% salary increase, were heard.
Teacher Orinda Malltezi told Euronews Albania that Prime Minister Edi Rama must listen to their demands.
“It is time to change; he must listen to the lecturers and the voice of all those who are in need because we are showing solidarity with the lecturers who are in difficulty; not all of them have the same standard of living,” she said.
Another teacher, Llesh Lleshaj, said that teachers are only paid for 10 months out of the. year, meaning many have to take up other work during the summer months.
“According to the funds or grants received from the government, the universities take part to cover the salaries. The truth is that it covers up to 10 months of the part of the teachers’ salaries, which means that in the public sector, we spend two months privately,” he said.
The head of the Teachers’ Union, Sandër Kovaçi told the media during the protest that “Students have supported the teachers’ strike, the goal is common. We want the government to turn its attention to the university. The prime minister should have the last word, we don’t think that through Minister Kushi we can fulfill our demands.”
Following the protest from Tirana’s teachers, those in Durres, Elbasan, Shkodra, Vlora and Korce joined in, despite starting the day with no plans to do so.
Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Agron Gjekmarkaj stated that teachers and students are protesting for more dignity in higher education.
“We remind you that the lecturers have announced a boycott of classes and are protesting as they demand an increase in salaries and a more dignified treatment of higher education.”
“After 32 years of freedom, they have remained the most mistreated economically,” he added, noting that the opposition supports them in their demonstrations.
Education Minister Evis Kushi on Sunday said the government and the ministry have given scholarships and exempted several categories from the annual fee, such as students who choose priority subjects, excellent students and those who have won medals in Olympiads.
“This new academic year coincides with a difficult situation when the whole world, including Albania, is suffering the consequences of a crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. The Albanian government has undertaken a series of measures to support every family, including yours, to mitigate the effects of the price crisis as much as possible. But our support for you doesn’t stop there.”
She also said standards in universities have increased along with infrastructure, and she wished teachers the best for the year ahead.
