Egyptian youth organizations are calling for mass blockades of universities and high schools on Tuesday, ahead of a nationwide inter-professional strike on Thursday. The protests are aimed at pressuring the government to address concerns over living standards and economic issues. The movement is gaining momentum, with students and young people determined to continue their mobilization.
According to Suzanne Nijdam, president of the French Student Union (Fage), the largest student organization, the movement will not stop until the government responds with concrete measures. Nijdam emphasized that the protests are a way to show that universities remain mobilized and will not be easily silenced. The government had announced a series of measures last week to address the concerns of young people, but the youth organizations believe they are insufficient.
On Monday, the first day back from the All Saints' break, around 15% of higher education institutions experienced disruptions, according to the government. In high schools, the mobilization continues, with reports of burned trash cans and blockades outside several establishments. Students are planning to organize a black week of protests and a high school student march on November 5.
In one high school in Toulouse, a group of around 100 students plans to organize a blockade throughout the week. According to the Education Ministry, 41 establishments were blocked on Monday, out of a total of 3,700. However, the Union syndicale lycéenne (USL) reported a much higher number of blocked establishments.
The number of blocked establishments is expected to be even higher on Tuesday, as students and young people prepare to resume their mobilization. Manon Moret, secretary general of the Unef student union, said that the movement will continue "frontalement" on Tuesday and hopes it will last until Thursday, when a nationwide strike and protest have been called.
The government had announced a series of measures last week to address the concerns of young people, including the gradual replacement of the Parcoursup system, which has been a major point of contention. However, the youth organizations believe that these measures are insufficient and that more needs to be done to address their concerns.
The protests and strikes are part of a broader movement of discontent among young people in Egypt, who are demanding better living standards, economic opportunities, and more say in government policies. The movement is being closely watched by the government and other stakeholders, who are aware of the potential for the protests to escalate and spread to other parts of society.
Key points
- Egyptian youth organizations call for mass protests and strikes over government policies.
- The movement is gaining momentum, with students and young people determined to continue their mobilization.
- The government had announced a series of measures last week to address the concerns of young people, but the youth organizations believe they are insufficient.
