Press Release
Al-Zhar University Closed as a Result of Protests Against Tuition Fees Increase
Ref.: 95/99
Date: 29 Septemeber 1999
On Monday, 27 September 1999, the Board of the Al-Zhar University in Gaza issued its decision to close the University for an indefinite period. This decision came after the acceleration of protests by students to the Board’s decision to increase tuition fees. On Monday afternoon, at around 4.00pm, a number of students caused damage to the door of the office of the University President, Dr. Riyad Al Khdari, as they tried to enter in order to demand that he tender his resignation. However, university security guards intervened and prevented the students from entering the office. The guards then, along with State Security forces and an official from the Youth Movement accompanied Dr. Huderi safely from the scene.
As a result of this incident, police security forces and anti-riot police have patrolled the university since Tuesday morning, 28 September 1999, and have closed a number of roads leading to the University in order to prevent student access.
These protests are being carried out by the students as a reaction to the University decision to increase tuition fees. The University Board increased tuition fees in all departments by 5 Jordanian dinars per class hour. The students were informed of this decision when the enrollment for the 1999/2000 Academic year began. The Student Council of Al-Zhar University rejected the decision as null and void, and declared that it constituted a real threat for the future of the students and the educational process as a whole.
The Student Council called on the students to stand strongly against this decision and not to enroll until the fee increase is revoked. Moreover the Student Council called on the University Board not to implement the decision. In response, the University Board published an announcement in which it declared its intention to reduce the fees increase to 3 dinars per hour, in the School of Science, and to 2 dinars per hour in the School of Social Sciences. The Board also extended the enrollment period for all students until the end of Wednesday October 7th, 1999.
The Secretary of the Al-Zhar University Student Union announced the Union’s rejection of the Board’s revised decision, labeling it a unilateral measure aimed to divide the students unified stance in rejection of the fees increase. In addition the Student Union declared that the University Board would be responsible for any result that might stem from this decision. Moreover, it asked the University Board to cancel the fees’ increase completely, claiming the students’ right to free education and called on the Board to co-ordinate with the Ministry of Higher Education to solve its financial crisis.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights affirms the following:
- Solution of the current dispute between the students and the Board requires the efforts of all concerned parties, including the Ministry of Higher Education and the Palestinian Legislative Council, and that each party takes responsibility for its role in solving the dispute. The PNA, represented by the Ministry of Higher Education, must take action in support of the Palestinian Universities in order to solve their financial crisis. The first step must be to cancel the fees increase.
- The Palestinian Legislative Council must pressure the Executive Authority to release the funds allocated to education in the Public Budget Law for 1999 (approximately 60 million NIS). This will help resolve the Universities’ financial difficulties, and prevent the need for an increase in tuition fees.
- PCHR affirms that the right to education is one of the basic human rights. The right of each citizen for higher education must be secured by ensuring access without barriers. Ensuring this right is essential to human development and dignity, and integral to the participation of each person in a free society. This right must be ensured through specific measures taken by the PNA within the resources available to it.
- The dispute must be solved through dialogue and peaceful protest, without the use of violence. Since the rhetoric involved revolves on demands for justice, any use of violence, or threats of violence, from any party will lead to the opposite result and will damage the interests of the students and the education process equally.
For More Information Contact:
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Tel/Fax: (+) 9727 2824776/2823725
E-mail: [email protected] , Web page: www.pchrgaza.org