Med students announce new exam boycott, further protests as government pressures for class resumption

Students of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy have announced a boycott of this year’s final exams, due to start tomorrow, despite many consultative sessions that took place with government representatives to resolve the crisis that has lasted for more than six months, during which the future doctors and health professionals boycotted first semester exams, field training and classes.

Hespress learned from student sources that a vote held at the medical and pharmacy faculties resulted in more than 90% of students boycotting the exams, which the Ministry of Higher Education announced a few days ago, bringing the crisis back to zero after it was close to a breakthrough in the past, especially after meeting with representatives of the executive branch.

In a lengthy statement on the subject, the National Committee of Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Students revealed that “students continue to boycott all pedagogical activities, including exams, clinical trainings and theoretical and practical lessons,” noting that they adhere to all “just and legitimate demands.”

The same committee questioned the “seriousness” of the “just and legitimate demand”, “the usefulness of presenting proposals if the intention is not to include them in a written agreement, which raises questions about whether it is procrastination, prolongation, or a lack of trust in student demands.”

After a ministerial meeting was positively held, “the outcomes did not live up to the aspirations of the student body due to the two ministries’ adherence to the principle of sham dialogue based on presentation and verbal promises.”

“At a time when we hoped to reach satisfactory answers to the questions raised by students during the general assemblies, which we faithfully communicated through government mediation, we were surprised by a unilateral step that violated our joint commitments by rescheduling the exams immediately after Eid al-Adha, in a clear exploitation of the conflicting opinions of students and an attempt to divide the internal ranks that have only known unity and steadfastness.”

In the face of these facts, the students pointed out their “absolute adherence to the legal and legitimate local offices and student councils and not to abandon their suspended and repeated representatives, given the unity of fate, provided that a field struggle program will be planned immediately after the exams and the establishment of listening cells to overcome the psychological damage after the intimidation and harassment campaigns.”

These new developments come after the signing of an agreement with the government about two weeks ago to end the crisis and avoid a white academic season, as pharmacy students agreed by more than 90% to the government’s proposals, while medical students voted by about 50.45% against these proposals, at a time when the national committee had stipulated that the penalties applied to a number of students be canceled in exchange for returning to classes and resuming exams.

During the meeting that brought together student representatives with ministers last week, the start date of the exams was set for the 26th of this month, on Wednesday, but this was opposed by the students, who insisted on a participatory agreement on a precise date for the exams that takes into account the stumbling blocks of the season and the necessities of good preparation for this academic occasion.

It seems that the students’ steps towards boycotting the exams continue to be supported by parents, who continue to support their children’s decisions on this issue.

Today, the government has decided to open the spring session of the medical examinations, starting on June 26, for a closing date before the end of August 2024.

In a press statement on Tuesday, government spokesman Mustapha Baitas explained that the catch-up session is scheduled for September 2024.

Baitas also announced a review of the sanctions imposed on the striking students, as well as the cancellation of the “zero” mark awarded to them.