University, School Students Join Iraq Protests
Arab World
Baghdad - Fadhel al-Nashmi
University and school students hit the streets of Baghdad on Monday to join escalating calls for the government to quit. The protests, which kicked off in early October, resumed last week with a bigger turnout. Thousands of students, dressed in white, headed to Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. They included students from Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad University, Canadian University and Iraqi University, as well as high school and junior high school students from Karkh and Rusafa. The huge student turnout is unprecedented. Security forces did not attempt to disperse the protests in the Tahrir Square as they had done in previous days. A reliable source from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said Sunday that the ministry stands by teachers and students in their protests on condition that they remain peaceful. However, the Ministry of Education issued Sunday orders to sanction and fire any school principal, who are responsible for the disruption of classes. Ministry spokesman Firas Mohammed Hassan revealed that the ministry had urged its directorates to maintain classes. Further, a video circulated on social media showed a school security guard as he argued with a teacher, who was demanding permission for students to hold a sit-in in solidarity with the protesters. Former Vice President Ayad Allawi welcomed the student protests, describing them as honorable in their support to the protests and demands for a comprehensive reform. This asserts the solidity and greatness of the people, as well as their unity to achieve their rights, he tweeted.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1964986/university-school-students-join-iraq-protests
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