Skopje, 5 February 2024 (MIA) – The President of the University Student Assembly at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (USS-UKIM), Aleksandar Nikolovski, at a protest Monday said students are angry due to untimely payments of scholarships and other student subsidies.

“We are showing the staff at the Ministry of Education a red card, USS is striving to ensure that the students are heard in the future and that their voice counts. In a Facebook post, Minister Jeton Shaqiri wrote that the students have received their funds, but according to their promise the funds should have been paid out initially at the middle of January, then at the end of January. And this is only regarding the scholarships. Besides that, there are funds for retroactive payment, transport vouchers, as well as issues with the student meal. So, this anger is a result of the untimely payment of all measures and the irresponsible work of the institution itself,” said Nikolovski.

The President of the Student Assembly at the largest state university said they are seeking a change of the entire system and their next step would be an initiative establishing a calendar of activities that the Ministry would have to follow and ensure a timely payout of all student measures. Nikolovski said they would also request amendments to the Law on Student Standard.

The students invited the Education Minister to come to the protest, but refused his invitation to meet inside the Ministry. During the protest, Minister Jeton Shaqiri called a press conference.

Photo: MIA