A group of student protesters blocked access to the faculty of economic sciences, commerce, and management at the Akli Mohand Oulhadj University of Bouira. The protesters, who prevented students and teachers from entering the faculty from 8 am, are demanding the reinstatement of six students who were suspended last year by the disciplinary council. The suspended students, members of the UNEA student organization, were punished for sequestering the faculty dean for over five hours.
The six students, including one female student, were suspended for two years by the disciplinary council after the incident, which resulted in the dean attempting to flee and injuring his ankle. They were also sentenced to six months in prison with a suspended sentence by the Bouira court. The protesters, supported by some students, are now demanding a revision of the disciplinary sanction to allow the students to rejoin the university.
The blocked faculty has over 2,000 students, and the action has been widely criticized by the majority of students. Some students attempted to force their way past the protesters but were unsuccessful. The presence of security agents prevented any confrontations from occurring. The blocked faculty was scheduled to begin exams for the first semester on Sunday.
Many students expressed frustration with the protest, saying it was illegitimate and would disrupt their studies. They suggested that the protesters should have pursued administrative appeals instead of blocking access to the faculty. The protesters, however, vowed to continue their action until their demands are met.
The disruption is not limited to the faculty of economic sciences, as students also blocked access to the mathematics and computer science department and the chemistry department at the Bouira university campus. Hundreds of students, teachers, and staff were unable to access their work or study areas.
The situation raises concerns about the potential for a lost academic year in several departments. The protesters' demands have sparked a divisive debate among students, with some supporting the action and others opposing it. University administrators have not made an official statement on the situation.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between students and university authorities in Algeria. The protesters' actions have brought attention to the case of the six suspended students, but also risk impacting the academic progress of their peers. The university's response to the situation remains uncertain.
Key points
- Student protesters block access to a faculty at the University of Bouira, demanding the reinstatement of six suspended students.
- The blocked faculty has over 2,000 students, and the action has been widely criticized by the majority of students.
- The situation raises concerns about the potential for a lost academic year in several departments.
