[Onthebarricades] Student protests, Aug-Sept 2008

[global resistance roundup]

* SOUTH AFRICA: Student dies at UNISA protest during police attack
* SOUTH AFRICA: School student uprising over substandard food
* UGANDA: Fee raise prompts protests
* ZIMBABWE: Repression against students continues despite peace deal
* PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Student strike over inflation, corruption
* INDONESIA: Students protest mayor
* INDIA: Student protest newsclippings
* BANGLADESH: Students protest attack on leader
* IRELAND: Students storm ministry in fees protest
* US: Miami - students block road over power cut class decision
* US: Stroudsberg/Pocono - dress code prompts unrest
* US: Maine - backpack ban protested
* UK: Teacher who assaulted boys targeted at home
* INDIA: Parents protest exam schedule
* SOUTH AFRICA: School students burn building to protest eviction





http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2380088,00.html

Student dies at Unisa protest
21/08/2008 14:15 - (SA)

Durban - A 22-year-old man, believed to be part of a group of protesters 
that had gathered at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Durban, 
collapsed and died on Thursday.
At least 200 students were protesting outside the campus, at the corner 
of Old Port Road and Stanger Street over the university's registration 
process.
Police said the angry students had been throwing stones at vehicles and 
had prevented non-protesting students from entering the building to 
write a national examination.
Ten protesters were arrested at the scene for public violence.
Inspector Michael Read said the student who died collapsed outside the 
International Convention Centre, which is situated opposite the campus.
"It appears as if he died from natural causes, but the body will be 
taken to the Gale Street mortuary and a post mortem will be carried out 
to establish the cause of death."
Read said the student apparently suffered from asthma. Police watchdog, 
the Independent Complaints Directorate was also called to the scene to 
investigate the matter. Police have opened an inquest docket.
While police described the protest as "very peaceful", a university 
official claimed it was "violent".
Unisa's KwaZulu-Natal regional director Magnate Ntombela, though, said 
he was "saddened" that the protest had "got a bit violent".
He claimed that students chained the entrance gate early on Thursday to 
prevent staff and students from entering. Security guards removed the 
chain.
Ntombela said the students later started throwing stones and trying to 
force their way into the one-building campus.
"Police dispersed them," he said.
"There was a bit of a commotion. We have a few windows broken in the 
building," he said, adding that a law society exam had to be postponed.
Ntombela said students held a protest march on Friday in opposition to 
the university's new registration process. He received a memorandum from 
them which he forwarded to senior management, he said.
The students gave management until lunch-time on Monday to respond.
Ntombela said that, on Monday, he told the students he had passed on 
their memorandum and had explained to them that their unhappiness arose 
from a "misunderstanding".
"They expected Monday to be (the) response from management saying they 
were going to scrap the process," he said.
"Then they decided today that they were going to protest again," he 
added, claiming they had not informed the university of their plans, 
other than by making a vague threat of further action in the memorandum.
He said a similar protest had been held last year, but that "it didn't 
get this ugly".
- SAPA





http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_South%20Africa&set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20080822061654830C509529

Student dies during protest

August 22 2008 at 07:49AM


By Gugu Mbonambi

A University of South Africa (Unisa) student died of a suspected asthma 
attack triggered by teargas used by police to disperse protesting 
students in Durban on Thursday.

More than 20 students, protesting against a new registration process 
being introduced by the institution, were arrested at Unisa's Durban campus.

Ntando Khuzwayo said Mthokozisi Nkwanyana, 20, a second-year political 
science student, was affected by the teargas and collapsed and died 
outside the International Convention Centre.

The students were protesting against the introduction of online 
registration and study material being supplied on CD.

They felt that the new registration process did not consider those who 
were computer illiterate.

Young Communist League (YCL) provincial secretary Mlungisi Hlongwane 
condemned the use of teargas by the police.

He said the league would lay a complaint with the Independent Complaints 
Directorate and community safety and liaison MEC Bheki Cele.

Hlongwane called for the immediate release of all the arrested students. 
Unisa regional director Magnate Ntombela said he was "shattered" at 
Nkwanyana's death and believed that the situation could have been 
handled differently.

"There was a misunderstanding between management and students about the 
introduction of online registration and compact disc study material. 
Those who are computer illiterate will be assisted at registration 
venues and although study material will be available on CD, hard-copy 
material will also be available," said Ntombela.

Police Inspector Michael Read said 22 students were arrested for public 
violence and would appear in the Durban magistrate's court on Friday.

"It appears as though the student died of natural causes and his body 
was taken to the Gale Street mortuary," he said.

Unisa principal Barney Pityana had called for a meeting with all 
students at the Durban campus on Friday to address their concerns, said 
Ntombela.

Nkwanyana's sister, Thandeka, of Ozwathini, outside Pietermaritzburg, 
said he was a down-to-earth and playful person.

"I'm still trying to understand how this could have happened. My brother 
was not a violent person," she said.







http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Education&set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=nw20080822092250967C916889

Students protest sees 22 arrested

August 22 2008 at 09:29AM

Related Articles
• Student dies during protest
• Student dies at Unisa protest


The number of students arrested for public violence at the University of 
South Africa's (Unisa) Durban campus had risen to 22, Durban police said 
on Friday.

At least 200 students on Thursday protested outside the campus, at the 
corner of Old Port Road and Stanger Street over the university's new 
online registration process and material being supplied on a compact disc.

Police said the angry students had been throwing stones at vehicles and 
had prevented non-protesting students from entering the building to 
write a national examination.

A 22-year-old man, who was part of the group of protesters, collapsed 
and died at the scene after suffering from an apparent asthma attack.

He was identified by the university as Mthokozisi Nkwanyana, a second 
year political science student.

At the time, police spokesperson Inspector Michael Read said the student 
collapsed outside the International Convention Centre, opposite the campus.

"It appears as if he died from natural causes, but the body will be 
taken to the Gale Street mortuary and a post mortem will be carried out 
to establish the cause of death," he said.

Post mortem results were expected in a week's time.

On Friday, the Mercury newspaper reported that Nkwanyana collapsed after 
police used teargas to disperse the protesters.

Read however denied that teargas was used, saying: "We gave them verbal 
warnings to disperse".

Police watchdog, the Independent Complaints Directorate, was also called 
to the scene to investigate the matter. Police have opened an inquest 
docket.

Unisa's KwaZulu-Natal regional director Magnate Ntombela at the time 
said protesting students had also chained the university's entrance gate 
to prevent staff and students from entering. Security guards later 
removed the chain.

The 22 students are due to appear in the Durban magistrate's court 
shortly. The institution and students were expected to meet around 
midday on Friday to discuss the students' grievances. - Sapa







http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=11964

< Go Back
Student dies at protest
22 Aug 2008
Sharlene Packree and Sapa

Mthoko Ncawanyana, a student involved in a protest on the University of 
South Africa (Unisa) Durban campus, collapsed and died shortly after the 
crowd was dispersed by police yesterday.

Ncawanyana, a second-year law student, was one of the 200 students who 
protested outside the campus yesterday over the registration process.

Angry students pelted police with stones, causing damage to several 
vehicles and injuring three policemen. Students prevented others not 
involved in the protest from entering examination rooms.

Police spokesman Inspector Michael Read said 10 students were arrested 
and charged with public violence.

"Police quickly dispersed the crowd. The arrested students will appear 
in court soon," he said.

When the students had dispersed, Ncawanyana was found outside the 
International Convention Centre, which is near the campus.

Paramedics were called in and declared him dead.

Read said that although it seems that Ncawanyana died of natural causes, 
a post-mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

"The Independent Complaints Directorate was also called to the scene to 
investigate the matter," he said.

Ncawanyana's aunt, Maureen Zulu, said the family had "high hopes" for 
Ncawanyana, whom she described as passionate about his studies.

"Mthoko was a bright boy. He went to hand in an assignment today, so I 
don't know how he got involved in the protest."

She said that apart from suffering from asthma, Ncawanyana was healthy.

"The family is still in shock. His mother is extremely upset and had to 
be sedated by a doctor. She is not doing well," Zulu said.

Unisa's KwaZulu-Natal regional director, Magnate Ntombela, was not 
immediately available to comment on the student's death. He earlier 
described the protest as "ugly", saying he was saddened it had "got a 
bit violent".

Ntombela said students chained the university's entrance gate to prevent 
staff and students from entering. Security guards removed the chain.

"There was a bit of a commotion. We have a few windows broken in the 
building," he said, adding that a law society exam had to be postponed.

Ntombela said students last week held a march in opposition to the 
university's new registration process.

A memorandum was handed to the university's management, who were given 
until Monday to respond. When students received no response, they 
planned a protest for yesterday. Ntombela said a similar protest took 
place last year, but that it did not get "this ugly".








http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_South%20Africa&set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20080905054412892C757531

Schoolgirls run riot

September 05 2008 at 09:09AM


By Jeff Wicks

Weeks of bread and cheese for supper prompted nearly 300 schoolgirls 
from the Sacred Heart Secondary boarding school in Verulam to run riot 
on Thursday night.

It is alleged that the girls rampaged through the school, breaking 
windows, damaging cars and looting the tuck shop and kitchen.

Superintendent Jay Naicker said police had been called in.

"We think the school tried to control the situation with their own 
security guards before getting the police to intervene. A disturbance at 
the school was reported to the Verulam police."

Private security company Reaction Unit SA spokesperson Prem Balram 
described the situation as chaotic.

"When we arrived the girls were toyi-toying. They had broken windows, 
damaged a staff member's car and looted the tuck shop and hostel kitchen."

The school's kitchen burnt to the ground several weeks ago, and the 
girls have been provided with two slices of bread and a slice of cheese 
for supper since.

Balram said many parents had fetched their children last night. The 
education department said it would investigate the incident on Friday.










http://allafrica.com/stories/200809110116.html

Uganda: Makerere University Students Protest Over Tuition Hike
Yasiin Mugerwa and Isaac Imaka
11 September 2008

Makerere University Students have petitioned Parliament and vowed to 
stage a sit- down strike today over what they have described as 
intolerable tuition fees at the university.
Mr George Jjagwe, the chairman of the Concerned Students Association, a 
pressure group told a press conference at Makerere yesterday that the 
students would oppose the new development fee of Shs123, 500 and Shs50, 
000 for technology fees collected from private sponsored students.
The students later filed a petition to the Speaker of Parliament Edward 
Ssekandi, urging him to intervene."The sit-down strike today shall take 
place in our halls/hostels of residence and in the freedom square 
starting at 7.00am." Mr Jjagwe wrote.
University spokesperson , Mr Gilbert Kadilo said the new fees have been 
discussed with the students' guild.








http://allafrica.com/stories/200809181056.html

SW Radio Africa (London)
Zimbabwe: Violence Persists While Ink is Still Wet on Power Sharing Deal
Violet Gonda
18 September 2008

Arrests and beatings continue in Zimbabwe barely three days before the 
ink has dried on the power sharing agreement between ZANU PF and the two 
MDC formations.
10 students from Bindura State University were arrested on Wednesday 
during protests calling for a conducive learning environment. Three 
student leaders Chiedza Gadzirayi (22), Laswet Savadye (24) and Respect 
Mbanga (21) were allegedly beaten up while in police custody.
Chiedza Gadzirayi told Newsreel they were arrested at 10am on campus and 
were only released at 7pm the same day after being charged with criminal 
nuisance. The students were made to pay a fine of $20 each. She said: 
"They beat us up saying we are over excited and not recognising the 
whole issue of the talks...they also said we are part of the MDC and 
that we were trying to incite students."
The students were protesting against the decision by the University to 
charge top up fees for this semester of $380 trillion and $420 trillion 
for science students. Gadzirayi said this was exorbitant, given the fact 
that the students had already been made to pay $85 trillion when 
colleges opened on 13th August. The top up fees are required by the 30th 
September.
According to the students, since the University opened there has been no 
improvement in the environment and no learning as the lecturers are also 
on strike for better salaries.
We could not get a comment from Bindura police, but the students 
maintain their demonstration was justified. They say the police have 
shown they are really not respecting the talks by continuing with the 
brutality. "Our demonstration was justified and the police were not 
justified to do what they did to us yesterday, especially the harassment 
and the torture and the humiliation that they made us go through," added 
Gadzirayi.
The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) said in a statement: "This 
is a negative development, taking into consideration that the deal was 
signed to bring sanity to the political terrain in this country."
Observers say repression in Zimbabwe is now a political culture such 
that this 'coalition' has to put security sector reform and the 
judiciary as top on its agenda if it is to work.
The MDC has to demand that action be taken decisively against the 
perpetrators. They are now part of the system, and it's either they are 
viewed as culpable or they show that they will not tolerate such behaviour.
Meanwhile ZANU PF official Patrick Chinamasa was quoted by the state 
media claiming his party supporters were "being victimised across the 
country." He said: "It's unfortunate that these violent attacks are 
happening just when we are starting a new era in Zimbabwe."











http://news.smh.com.au/world/png-students-protest-against-inflation-20080905-4a8s.html

PNG students protest against inflation
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September 5, 2008 - 10:12AM
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Students at the University of Technology in Lae, on PNG's northwest 
coast, have taken action over the high and rising costs of goods and 
services.
The Taraka campus students are boycotting classes over government 
corruption.
Student Representative Council president Jackson Kiakari, who also leads 
the National Union of Students, said they were talking to other 
university representatives to encourage similar action at other PNG 
campuses.
"We have a situation here where the kina today does not have any value, 
however, we are told that PNG is flushed with cash," said.
"How can this happen?"
"Everyone in this country is bearing the pain silently and the 
government and MPs don't seem to care," he said.
"Our parents, our relatives and our workers in town are not able to get 
a lot of food for our pay," he said.
The protests came on the same day as PNG treasurer Patrick Pruitch 
announced, in Port Moresby, that inflation was 10.7 per cent, more than 
2008's forecasted nine per cent.








http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=41853

Students strike in Papua New Guinea over inflation and corruption
Posted at 05:52 on 05 September, 2008 UTC
More than 2,000 Papua New Guinean university students have stormed out 
of classes, reportedly in protest at corruption and the government’s 
inability to keep inflation low.
Students at the University of Technology in Lae are reported to have 
acted over the high and rising costs of goods and services.
The Student Representative Council president Jackson Kiakari, who also 
leads the National Union of Students, says they want to encourage 
similar at other PNG campuses.
He says the kina’s value has plummetted and people can get little with 
the money they earn.
The protests came as the PNG Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch announced, in 
Port Moresby, that inflation had increased to 10 point 7 per cent, 
significantly above government forecasts.





---------------------------------------------------

Students rally against new mayor

Jakarta Post - September 17, 2008

Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung -- Some 100 students from
the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) staged a
rally Tuesday to protest the swearing-in ceremony
of newly elected Mayor Dada Rosada and Vice Mayor
Ayi Vivananda.

The students, from the ITB Students' Body (KM-ITB),
were protesting the conversion of Babakan Siliwangi
forest, in the western part of the ITB campus, into
a restaurant and a three-floor parking building.

Staged some 50 meters in front of the Merdeka
Building on Jl. Asia-Afrika where the ceremony was
held, the students demanded the Bandung municipal
administration cancel a cooperation agreement with
the project developer.

Students handed out flyers and held a silent
protest by symbolically taping their mouths shut
with black tape.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, who officiated
at the inauguration ceremony, also asked the new
mayor and his deputy to run the administration and
development programs based on environmental
considerations.

Ahmad said air pollution and a shortage of clean
water were Bandung residents' main problems,
triggered by environmental degradation and
diminishing open green spaces.

"We have to change our development paradigm, which
places more importance on the material side without
considering effects to the environment," he said
during the ceremony.

KM-ITB spokesman Irfani Priananda said the group's
protest against the Babakan Siliwangi conversion
was staged because the project would damage the
environment.

In July, the students conducted a brief
investigation on the project. They found there were
many springs at the future project site which would
cause damage to buildings.

"The springs in Babakan Siliwangi are unique
because they produce clean water all year long,
even during the dry season," Irfani said.

"The number of springs in the area has decreased
from 13 to 7 since ITB built a sports complex and
the Sasana Budaya Ganesha convention hall."

The students also reminded the administration the
construction of the restaurant and parking building
would only worsen groundwater degradation in
Bandung, which is subsiding at a rate of 4.2
millimeters per year.

The administration was also urged to increase the
number of open green areas, from 7.68 percent of
the city's area to 30 percent.

Responding to the protest, Mayor Dada said he would
reevaluate the project, handled by PT Esa Gemilang
Indah from the Istana Group.

As mayor from 2003 until 2008, Dada signed a
memorandum of understanding between the
administration and PT Esa Gemilang Indah to
redesign and operate Babakan Siliwangi until 2027.

The company will build a restaurant and a 7,000-
square-meter art gallery, while the administration
will build a three-story parking building.

"We will see whether the project threatens the
environment. If so, we will revise the agreement,"
Dada said.

Dada's tenure has seen many green areas converted
into commercial buildings and spaces, giving rise
to numerous protests against the mayor.

---------------------------------------------------


















http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082354640500.htm

Karnataka - Udupi

Students protest
Udupi: The Mangalore University All College Students Action Committee 
(Sarva College Vidyarthi Kriya Samiti) staged a dharna in front of the 
Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Friday. In a memorandum addressed 
to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, submitted at the Deputy Commissioner’s 
office , the committee demanded the scrapping of the credit-based 
semester system by the Mangalore University. The students took out a 
procession from the Service Bus Stand to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082960150400.htm

Tamil Nadu

College students stage protest on Velachery Main Road
Special Correspondent
TAMBARAM: Traffic on arterial Velachery Main Road was affected when 
students of a private college staged a protest on Thursday.
Students of Prince Shri Venkateswara Arts and Science College in 
Gowrivakkam, near Tambaram, and members of All India Students Front 
staged the protest in support of their demands that included advancing 
the college timings and allowing them to form a students’ union.
They squatted on the road to press for their demands. They said that all 
colleges in and around Tambaram commenced at 8 a.m., but theirs opened 
only at 10. If the timing was advanced to 8 a.m., they could get free 
time in the afternoon to join computer or other technical training 
institutes.
They also took exception to the suspension of six students recently and 
pointed out that some staff behaved rudely with them and their parents.
However, college authorities refuted the allegations, stating only a 
section of the college students protested.
Students came late for classes even now and if the timing was advanced, 
it would be difficult for those from far off places to come on time.
Unlike other colleges in Tambaram, their institution offered only one 
shift and hence it opens at 10 a.m., they said.
Authorities added that they had only initiated disciplinary action 
against six students, including girls, for staying away from classes and 
the issue was sorted out after an assurance from their parents, adding 
that the college attached a lot of importance to discipline.
The students dispersed after V.Varadaraju, Deputy Commissioner of 
Police, came to the spot.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/27/stories/2008082758500300.htm

New Delhi

Students protest against B.Sc. (Programme) result
Staff Reporter
Stage a demo outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office
________________________________________
Students had launched a protest last year as well
“No one from the University has invited us for talks"
________________________________________
NEW DELHI: A number of students pursuing the restructured B.Sc. 
(Programme) at Delhi University staged a demonstration outside the 
office of Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental on Tuesday to protest against 
“unexpected and poor results”.
The students enrolled for the course had launched an agitation last year 
as well after a number of them performed poorly in the annual 
examination. Later the authorities set up a review committee to look 
into the reasons for the poor performance.
“The committee had last year said that all those students who got an 
Essential Repeat (ER) in one or two subjects would be promoted. However, 
this has not happened this year. Those who have got an ER in two 
subjects have been failed. At the same time, there have been cases where 
students who got an ER in three subjects have been promoted to the next 
year,” alleged a student.
“In our question papers for the final exam, a number of questions came 
from portions that we were told had been deleted from the syllabus. In 
fact, only two months prior to our annual exams we were informed by our 
teachers that our syllabus had been reduced,” claimed another student.
The students are agitated as no one from the University administration 
has invited them for dialogue since they began their protests outside 
the Vice Chancellor’s Office a few days ago.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090760470300.htm

New Delhi

ABVP protests against results
NEW DELHI: Just hours after the results of the Delhi University 
Students’ Union elections were announced on Saturday, Akhil Bharatiya 
Vidyarthi Parishad activists protested against the verdict outside the 
office of the Dean of Students’ Welfare on the North Campus.
They demanded to know why despite early leads, the ABVP candidates for 
the post of vice-president and secretary, Vasu Rukhar and Anupriya 
Yadav, respectively, lost out to NSUI candidates.
Both these candidates lost to their nearest rivals by slender margins.
“It is difficult to believe that while for the post of president we won 
by about 1,800 votes, we could not wrest any other post despite early 
leads. We feel there was some conspiracy. We have demanded that the 
electronic voting machines be shown to us,” said ABVP media coordinator 
Atif Rasheed.
The students wanted to meet Chief Election Officer Gurmeet Singh, but 
were stopped by the police. Eight activists were detained and later let off.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/15/stories/2008081560660800.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Medical college students stage demonstration
Staff Reporter
Against mandatory rural service and increase in duration of course
Photo: R. Ashok

AGITATED: Students of K.A.P.Viswanatham Government Medical College 
staging a demonstration in Tiruchi on Thursday. —
TIRUCHI: Over 200 undergraduate students of K. A. P. Viswanatham 
Government Medical College held a demonstration in front of their 
college on Thursday, condemning Union Health Minister Anbumani 
Ramadoss’s recent talks with Medical Council of India for implementation 
of mandatory rural medical services. They attended their classes 
sporting black badges as a mark of protest.
In a statement released by Tamil Nadu Medical Students’ Association, 
they demanded the intervention of State Government to drop the decision 
of compulsorily deputing medical graduates to rural areas for an year.
The move, if implemented, would prevent job opportunities for the fresh 
graduates. Over 30,000 medical students graduate every year and 
temporary jobs would affect their chances of permanent employment in 
government hospitals.
The proposed compulsory rural medical service and increase in duration 
of medical course to six-and-a-half years have discouraged brilliant 
students from opting for medicine.
Sixty-five students this year and 139 students in 2007 joined 
engineering courses despite securing medical seats. The Association has 
also threatened to intensify the stir after August 20.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090555290300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool

Student organisations hold protest
Special Correspondent
— Photo: U. Subramanyam

Heated exchange: Police clash with SFI activists in Kurnool on Thursday.
KURNOOL: The supporters of SFI and AISF staged noisy protests on 
different issues at the Collectorate here on Thursday. Both groups 
clashed with the police when the protesters tried to barge into the 
Collectorate. SFI demanded implementation of GO no 18 which allowed 
concession in the tuition fee for Backward Class students. The SFI 
leaders alleged that some of the private engineering colleges were not 
honouring the government order.
The organisation urged the government to release Rs. 100 crore for the 
Rayalaseema University for speedy development and introduce 25 new courses.
The AISF complained that most of the government schools had no proper 
accommodation.
(Sept 5)







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090555520300.htm

Sept 5

Other States - Uttar Pradesh

AMU students protest beating of colleague by police
‘Student assaulted for objecting to police personnel using ATM after 
brushing aside crowd waiting for their turn’
Aligarh: Alleged beating of a student of Aligarh Muslim University by 
two police personnel sparked demonstrations in the varsity campus with 
angry students on Thursday protesting in front of the VC’s office, 
demanding suspension of the duo.
According to a report filed with the University authorities by the 
victim, Javed Alam, two police personnel assaulted him last Tuesday when 
he objected to their using an ATM after brushing aside others waiting 
for their turn.
The incident took place when Javed, a final year engineering student, 
had gone to the SBI ATM in the University administrative block.
In his complaint, Javed also alleges that the duo later took him to the 
Civil Lines police station and released him after several hours on the 
intervention of University authorities.
Javed, in his written complaint, has also mentioned that station officer 
in charge of the police station threatened him of implicating in “bogus 
case” if he files any complaint.
The students’ protest came to an end after senior officials led by 
Senior Superintendent of Police Aseem Arun assured them that punitive 
action would be taken against the errant officers by evening.
Meanwhile, Secretary of AMU teachers association, Abdus Salam has 
demanded immediate suspension of station officer in charge
A close watch is being kept over the campus to prevent the situation 
from turning violent. --PTI







http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Following-protests,-expulsion-of-3-DAV-students-revoked/356678/

Following protests, expulsion of 3 DAV students revoked
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Express News Service Posted: Sep 03, 2008 at 0255 hrs IST

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Related Stories: Union protests shifting of steel plantETT teachers 
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go on strike
Chandigarh, September 02: Three students of DAV College, Sector 10, were 
expelled yesterday because they had locked the mess of the BTC hostel 
owing to the poor quality of food being served there. The order was, 
however, revoked today.
The three students are Vicky, Vinod of BA (III) and Saurabh Malik of BA 
(II).
On Tuesday morning, the student bodies protested against the college 
authorities and also met the principal, B C Josan.
The principal constituted a committee to decide on the matter and called 
all the student leaders for a meeting.
The students claimed that the food is sub-standard and that they could 
not eat the food any more.
“We have not done anything wrong. If our demands are not genuine then we 
are ready to face the consequences,” said Vinod, a student.
“I can’t say anything right now as the matter is still pending before 
the committee and it will decide on the matter. I have given orders to 
the mess contractors to arrange for better food in the future. This is a 
political stunt before the upcoming elections,” said Josan.
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“It is our democratic right to protest in a peaceful manner and the 
students have genuine demands. If their demands are false then the 
authorities can take any action against them,” said Vikas Rathee, INSO 
president. Prof B C Josan added, “As I had not given any written order 
of their expulsion, it was just a warning to the students. If they 
create any more nuisance in the future then we will not tolerate it.”
INSO demands more hostels
PU students led by the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) 
protested on Tuesday against the hostel problems and the high rates 
being charged at student centre shops and the PU market. PU campus 
chairman, Sukhdev Kundu led the student procession to press for their 
demands. Later, the INSO delegation also submitted a memorandum to the 
PU vice-chancellor. Kundu said that the problem of hostels had been 
discussed with the v-c many times earlier. He also said that students of 
some departments like diploma students of Psychology have been denied 
hostels. He demanded that PU make some interim arrangements like 
vacating hostels for students and converting more buildings into 
hostels. PU should plan and construct four more boys and girls hostels 
this year, the INSO leader said. –ENS







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/18/stories/2008091852870300.htm

Other States - Puducherry

Students protest
PUDUCHERRY: Students of the Tagore Government Arts College on Wednesday 
boycotted classes and staged a protest to highlight demands such as 
supply of safe drinking water, appointment of lecturers and enhancing 
facilities in the computer laboratory.
Alleging that the management did not take steps to meet their demands, 
they locked the main entrance of the college and staged a road-roko. 
Close on the heels of officials in the Department of Higher Education 
promising steps to enhance facilities in the college gradually, the 
students withdrew their agitation, official sources said.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/19/stories/2008091952880300.htm

Karnataka - Raichur

AIDSO, AIDYO stage protest
Staff Correspondent
Raichur: Members of the district units of the All India Democratic 
Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and the All India Democratic Youth 
Organisation (AIDYO) took out a procession and staged a dharna here on 
Thursday in protest against the introduction of negative marking in 
examinations for diploma engineering students from this academic year.
Students from the Government Polytechnic and the HKE Society Diploma 
Engineering College boycotted classes and went in a procession from 
Ambedkar Circle and reached the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
They staged the dharna there for some time and submitted a memorandum to 
the Headquarters Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner Qhateeb urging the 
Director of the Technical Education to withdraw the negative marking system.
Chennabasawa Janekal, secretary of the district unit of the AIDYO, said 
that diploma engineering students were being asked objective-type 
questions for the past two years. However, from this academic year, the 
Directorate of Technical Education had introduced negative marking. This 
had affected students. He said that the directorate had introduced a 
change in the examination system without improving the teaching level. 
In addition, the shortage of staff in colleges had affected the coverage 
of the syllabus in various subjects. The directorate had failed to 
consult experts before bringing such changes in the pattern of questions 
in the examinations.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/16/stories/2008091652760300.htm

Karnataka - Gulbarga

Students protest against demolition notice
Special Correspondent
GULBARGA: The Gulbarga City Corporation on Monday asked the Government 
Pre-University College in Adarsh Nagar to stop the construction of two 
classrooms that have been identified for demolition to widen the road.
Students of the college boycotted classes in protest against the notice 
issued by the corporation asking the school authorities to stop the 
construction work.
The students said the present college building did not have enough 
classrooms, and the authorities were conducting classes in shifts. The 
new classrooms would have helped solve the problem to an extent. The 
students said they needed more than two classrooms. They warned that if 
the city corporation did not allow the construction to go ahead, they 
would intensify their agitation.







http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/701ee96610c884a6/id/410150/cs/1/

Students protest against don accused of sexual harassment
India Gazette
Tuesday 23rd September, 2008
(IANS)
Students and faculty of the political science department of Ramjas 
College, Delhi University, Tuesday launched a week-long protest to 
demand stern action against a senior faculty member accused of sexually 
harassing 10 male students in October 2007.

The male students had complained against B.N. Ray, a senior reader in 
the political science department, in October last year.

The College Complaints Committee (CCC), which probed the complaint and 
submitted its report in April this year, had found the charges of sexual 
harassment against Ray valid, and 'recommended that he face termination 
from service'.

The protesting students are demanding implementation of the 
recommendations of the report.

'The protest today was a sustained demonstration organized to sensitize 
students and make our voices heard,' said Gaurav Parashar, student 
president, political science department. 'We along with our teachers 
have boycotted classes for a week. We will shout slogans against the 
accused and the principal, and sensitize those who don't know about the 
case.'

'A year has passed since the incident and still no action has been taken 
and the accused is still on the university rolls enjoying salary without 
attending classes. This is an open mockery of the justice delivery 
system of the university?' said Kumar Rahul, senior faculty, political 
science department of the college, who had joined the protest.

According to Parashar, the harassed students had been pressured to 
withdraw their complaint but they stood firm. The CCC report directing 
that Ray's services be terminated has given the students hope.

'Unfortunately, the delay in implementing the decision by the college 
governing council does not send a very positive message to the student 
and teacher community in the country,' he said.

The principal of Ramjas College, Rajendra Prasad, when contacted claimed 
that since 'Ray had submitted a civil writ petition against the CCC 
report, the matter is sub judice'.

'After consulting an advocate I will know the legal standing of the 
case. Ray has been banned from teaching and his entry into the college 
grounds has also been banned,' Prasad told IANS.

However, students are angry that no official action has been taken 
against Ray.

'The ban had not been officially declared and more severe action is 
required,' added Prasher.

'We will seek support from students and faculty of other colleges like 
Hindu and Kirori Mal and the Law Faculty in the days ahead,'said Aditya 
Kaul, a student activist.

The students have planned a silent candle march on Thursday from the 
college ground to the Vice-Chancellor's office 'to take the protest to 
the next level', Kaul said.

The CCC is a body that investigates student complaints and provides 
recommendations to college authorities.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/25/stories/2008092559720200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students stage protest, seek better facilities
Kannal Achuthan
— Photo: V. Ganesan

SIT IN: Students of Madras School of Social Work protest the lack of 
amenities at the college on Wednesday.
CHENNAI: Students of the Madras School of Social Work on Wednesday 
staged a protest in front of the college in Egmore demanding better 
amenities.
The students said at least 20 students in the hostel were suffering from 
diarrhoea or fever as a result of the poor quality of drinking water. 
One of the students has been hospitalised, they said.
One of the hostel students, requesting anonymity, said a request for 
boiled water in the dining hall had been turned down.
“We were told we could buy water sachets if we wanted,” he said.
The students have also demanded additional drinking water facilities 
inside the college and provision of more toilets. “For about 450 
students, there are only three toilets for men and three for women in 
the college,” a student said.
The college authorities said they would act on the demand for better 
facilities for water. However, the students said they wanted the 
assurance in writing and would continue the protest till then.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461770300.htm

New Delhi

B.Sc. students of DU protest
NEW DELHI: The second year students of the restructured B.Sc. 
(Programme) of Delhi University staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here 
on Tuesday alleging that the authorities did not fulfil their assurance 
given to them.
“We called off our previous agitation after the authorities told us that 
they will review the results of both the first and second year students 
enrolled in the course. While they have made the changes in the first 
year results, second year students are still awaiting justice,” said a 
student.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461760300.htm

New Delhi

Ramjas students revive protest
Staff Reporter
Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Ramjas students protesting slow progress on sexual harassment case 
against a senior faculty member.
NEW DELHI: Some students and faculty members of the Political Science 
Department at Ramjas College here on Tuesday revived their agitation to 
bring into focus the case against former Vice-Principal B.N. Ray.
Dr. Ray had been accused of sexually harassing male students.
A number of students took out a protest march across the college campus 
on Tuesday shouting slogans against Dr. Ray and the college governing 
body for “failing to implement the report of the college complaints 
committee.”
“A year has passed since and still no action has been taken and he is 
still on the University rolls. This is a mockery of the justice delivery 
system of the University,” said a senior faculty member.
A candlelight march has been organised outside the college on Thursday 
evening where students from other colleges are also likely to join the 
protest.






http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=414306

Kerala medical students protest government service bond
________________________________________

IANS Friday 3rd October, 2008
Students of five state-run medical colleges in Kerala will strike work 
Oct 6, demanding repeal of the compulsory bond that requires them to 
work in government service for at least two years.

The students Friday organised protest marches in all government medical 
colleges and announced their plan for agitation.

The bonds executed during admission to medical courses, including 
under-graduate, post-graduate and super specialty courses, require the 
medical students to work for a certain duration in the government service.

The Kerala Medical Post-Graduates Association which will lead the strike 
has formed a Joint Strike Committee for the agitation enlisting the 
support of graduate students and those in government service working 
under the bond.

'We will hold a token strike Oct 6 and later we will consider an 
indefinite strike if the government fails to meet our demand,' said Sanu 
P.M., president of the association's Kozhikode chapter.

The strike is likely to cripple the government medical college hospitals 
as the students and doctors serving under bond constitute a major 
portion of the work force in these hospitals.

'In Kozhikode college, there are 34 anaesthetists. Of these, only 20 are 
permanent staff. The rest are PG (post-graduate) students and doctors 
serving under the bond,' said T.V. Murali, a student of the college.

'A student joining one of these colleges for a graduate medical course 
at the age of 18 will be at least 38-years-old if he does his PG and 
super speciality courses and completes the bond. This is while the 
students in 16 private medical colleges in the state face no hassles of 
a bond,' he added.

Sanu pointed out that the medical colleges are still continuing with the 
staff pattern of 1961. 'The government is not making any new 
appointments in the colleges and the bulk of the work are done by the 
post graduates and 'bonded doctors''.

Those working under the bond are not even eligible for maternity leave 
during the period. 'If some one take leave, the bond period will be 
further extended,' Murali added.

The students argue that the bond should not be made applicable to them, 
as during the three-year medical post-graduate course, they are working 
in the hospital and are not sitting in classrooms.

In Kerala, the stipend for post-graduate students is Rs.10,000 per 
month, which students say is much less compared to their counterparts in 
other states.

'We are resorting to the strike after the government failed to respond 
to our repeated pleas,' Sanu added.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092953740400.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

Students stage protest
Staff Reporter
KOZHIKODE: Students of the Calicut Medical College protested by waving 
placards against compulsory government service for doctors after 
completing MBBS, postgraduate and superspecialty courses, during a visit 
by Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy to the college on Sunday.
Secretary of the Calicut chapter of Kerala Medical Post Graduate 
Association Rinett Sebastian K.V. and Calicut Medical College Union 
chairman Rakesh Kumar Jha met the Health Minister and submitted a 
memorandum against compulsory government service.
The Minister told the student represntatives that the government would 
look into their demands.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/02/stories/2008100252830300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Hostel students protest against poor quality food
Staff Reporter
BERHAMPUR: Some 50 students have escaped from the hostel of Jopakhal 
Sevashram School in Rayagada district protesting against low quality of 
food served to them. After investigation the administrative officials 
suspended the headmistress of the residential school, Annapurna 
Arichuan, for dereliction of duty on Wednesday.
This school is located at a distance of 4 km from the district 
headquarters town, Rayagada. The Welfare Extension Officer, Sarat 
Chandra Sahu, inspected the school and filed a report. Basing on the 
report, Rayagada Sub-Collector D. Jagannadh suspended the headmistress. 
Local MLA Ramachandra Ulaka also reached the school to investigate into 
the allegations made by the students.
One hundred and fifty seven students are studying in the school.
Of them 99 are hostel borders.
As per the norms, the State government provides a grant of Rs. 350 per 
month for each student of the school.
The grant for girl students is Rs. 25 more. The schools get the grant 
under free mid-day meal scheme.
The students, who escaped from the school, went to the officials and 
alleged that they were not being provided vegetables and were getting 
eggs once in a month.
They also alleged that the headmistress was deploying them for her 
personal work and firewood collection.
Similar incidents
Similar incidents of students protesting against teachers at government 
residential schools have been reported in south Orissa. Some of them 
occurred in Gajapati district within past few months.
Around 20 students of Chandragiri Girls High School of Mohana block had 
demonstrated against alleged atrocities at the hands of a teacher.
The Gajapati Collector had ordered immediate transfer of the teacher.
In a similar incident, 25 boys of a tribal ashram school of Koinpur in 
Rayagada block of Gajapati district had left the hostel protesting 
against their teachers.
The students from the Model School, Chandragiri, had run away to 
Parlakhemundi to voice their protest against the school administration.
In July 2007, 33 students of the residential school for girls at 
Daringbadi in Kandhamal district left for their homes from their hostel 
protesting against their teachers.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092754410300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati

ABVP protests shifting of examination centres
Special Correspondent
TIRUPATI: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Friday staged a 
dharna in protest against the shifting of some examination centres of 
the Distance Education module to S.V. University in Tirupati.
They said the shifting caused serious hardship especially to the 
students coming to Tirupati from districts like Srikakulam, 
Vizianagaram, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar to write the examination.
Meanwhile, the SVU Dean of Examinations said the decision was taken by 
the authorities of the district centres in the wake of alleged 
‘irregularities’ in the exam conducted by study centres.







http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=52375

2008-08-29
Metropolitan
BCL protests attack on leader
DU Correspondent

Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League, staged a 
demonstration on the Dhaka University campus yesterday demanding proper 
investigation into the armed attack on Sagar Ahmed Shaheen, president of 
Lalbagh Thana BCL.

Shaheen was critically wounded as he was shot during the attack at 
Dhanmondi in the city on Wednesday night.

In a protest rally on the campus, the BCL leaders threatened to wage a 
tougher movement if the government fails to bring the attackers to book.







http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhqlojidmhsn/rss2/

Students storm department gates in protest
Print
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01/09/2008 - 15:03:42
More than 50 students stormed the gates of the Department of Education 
in Dublin this afternoon, in protest against any reintroduction of third 
level fees.

The students ran past security and into the grounds of the building to 
highlight their anger.

Gardaí swiftly moved the protesters outside the building, but students 
have said they will camp outside Leinster House tomorrow night to 
continue their protest.

The Union of Students in Ireland said the protesters were forced to take 
action after the Minister for Education ignored their request to meet them.






http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0924/1222205368706.html

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Students protest restoration of fees
KATHRYN HAYES
MORE THAN 1,000 students from four third-level institutions took to the 
streets yesterday to protest over the proposed reintroduction of college 
fees.
Students from the University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of 
Technology, Mary Immaculate College of Education and Limerick School of 
Art and Design marched through the city centre.
Press Officer for Limerick Association of Students' Unions, Aoife Breen, 
said the reintroduction of college fees would deny some people the 
opportunity of going to college. "It's blocking people before they even 
get a chance to enter third level and is commandeering education," she said.
According to Ms Breen some 68 per cent of Irish students work in 
part-time jobs to fund their living expenses while at college.
"A recent survey found that it cost students €38,000 to get through four 
years of college . . . the fees will make this extortionate and will add 
an extra strain on students . . . consequently, more students will fail 
their courses," she added.
A protest is planned for Cork on October 9th when students from the nine 
third-level institutions across Munster march in the city as the 
campaign intensifies.









http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Four-MU-Students-Arrested-At-Power-Outage-Protest/Z-PQVAHGhUC5eYHsy1RIlw.cspx

Four MU Students Arrested At Power Outage Protest

Last Update: 9/17/2008 12:18 am

Four students were arrested during a protest at Miami University Monday 
night.
Police had to close High Street after an estimated 3,000 people gathered 
chanting, "No power, No classes."
The students were upset that the university didn't cancel classes 
Tuesday, because many off-campus residences don't have power, even 
though some campus areas did.
Police say some of the students started throwing things at officers.
Zachary Burns, Molly Bowers, Adam Spotts and Brandon Organ have been 
charged with disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.






http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/17/ddn091708miami.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16

Four arrested as 3,000 protest Miami's decision
By Ryan Gauthier
Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
OXFORD — Four Miami University students were arrested after a gathering 
that drew thousands Monday night, Sept. 15, to protest the school's 
decision to hold classes Tuesday. The protest outside of Miami President 
David Hodge's home drew an estimated 3,000 people and agencies 
throughout Butler County — including nearly 70 officers — were called in 
to assist, according to the Oxford Police Department. Those arrested 
included: Zachery Burns, 21, of Brickhouse Lane in Fairfield; Molly 
Bowers, 21, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Adam Spotts, 23, of West Sycamore 
Street in Oxford; and Brandon Organ, 23, of West High Street in Oxford 
the Oxford Police Department said. They all face misdemeanor charges.
By 10 p.m., the crowd size was estimated at 3,000 people, loudly 
chanting, "No Power, No Classes," according to police.
People in the crowd began throwing projectiles, such as rolls of toilet 
paper, hedge apples, walnuts, water bottles and a beer bottle at the 
officers, according to police.
By 10:30 p.m. — with the situation "deteriorating" — mutual aid was 
requested. Twelve area police departments responded, Oxford police said. 
The area was cleared by 1 a.m.
During a meeting between university representatives and Hodge Monday 
afternoon, the decision was made to resume normal operations of all 
campuses. Students were notified by text messages, said university 
spokeswoman Claire Wagner.








http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080915/NEWS/809150311/-1/rss01

Students vehemently disagree with S-burg dress code, protest outside 
high school

Mackenzie Kern, 13, an eighth-grader at Stroudsburg Junior High School, 
and Justin Arias, left, 13, a seventh-grader at Stroudsburg MIddle 
School, cheer as a car honks while driving past them as they protest the 
Stroudsburg School District’s dress code Saturday afternoon in front of 
Stroudsburg High School on Main Street.ADAM RICHINS/Pocono Record

By Melanie Vanderveer
Pocono Record Writer
September 15, 2008
Six students with signs, energy and determination stood in front of 
Stroudsburg High School on Saturday to protest the school district's new 
dress code.
"We are standing here today with our signs because this is the root of 
all the evil — Stroudsburg High School," eighth-grader John Paul Sanchez 
said.
Related Stories
• Two school boards consider dress codes
• No dress code for Stroudsburg elementary students
• Cheers, jeers as Stroudsburg dress code policy debuts (wtih video)
• New buildings, new courses, new uniforms, new faces greet kids this week
• Vandals protest dress code through graffiti at school
Messages on signs were "Dress Code Sucks" and "I Don't Want To Be A 
Clone." Many passers-by showed their support by honking and giving 
thumbs-up.
"Why aren't the kids being heard?" Maribeth Sanchez asked. Her son John 
Paul is one of many kids unhappy about the dress code. "The kids do not 
like the uniforms. I do think there was a problem with the way some of 
the kids dressed but this isn't the way to fix it."
Sanchez believes that the dress code is too restrictive.
"Pants with too many buttons, shirts are not burgundy enough. This isn't 
the military. Their voices should be heard," she said.
Ninth-grader Megan Penny organized the mini-protest. "I think that the 
dress code is just ridiculous. A dress code is necessary but not like 
this," she said. "A few kids wrecked it for everyone. We should have 
rights. This is America."
Penny added, "I felt safer when I knew who the gang kids were. Now they 
all blend together."
She complained that the dress code unfairly limits students' 
self-expression.
 From an adult perspective, Sanchez said the clothes are costly.
"These clothes aren't cheap, especially when you have to buy them for 
more than one child."
Across the street, residents had something to say about the dress code 
as well as the mini-protest.
"If the kids wore their clothes the right way before, maybe this dress 
code wouldn't be necessary," Jeanette Marron said. "A few walk around 
with their rear ends hanging out, which ruins it for all of them."
She added, "It's a good thing to have their opinions but it won't get 
them anywhere now."






http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/09/13/maine_students_hold_sit_in_to_protest_backpack_ban/

Maine students hold sit-in to protest backpack ban
September 13, 2008

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine—A backpack ban will remain in place at Marshwood 
High School even after dozens of students staged a sit-in to protest the 
school's policy.
At least 50 students at the South Berwick school staged a protest Friday 
to make their voices heard on a school policy that prohibits the use of 
backpacks during school hours.
Eleventh-grader Richard Cooney said student feel like they're not making 
progress in persuading the principal to change the policy.
Superintendent Jeffrey Bearden said the policy was put into place as a 
safety measure several years ago after the 1999 Columbine High School 
killings.
He said the rule also cuts down on classroom clutter and reduces the 
stress students place on their backs.







http://news.scotsman.com/education/Fresh---attacks-on.4845511.jp

Published Date: 06 January 2009
THE home of a teacher convicted of assaulting two pupils has been 
targeted in a fresh vandalism attack.
In the latest incident, windows were smashed on Sunday night. Mike 
Barile, 51, a maths teacher, was found guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court 
last month of assaulting two boys in a classroom after they had insulted 
him. Sheriff Charles Macnair found Mr Barile not guilty of two other 
assault charges and a fifth charge was not proven.

He was admonished by the sheriff who said that the charges were of a 
minor nature and would probably not have been brought against him had it 
not been for the fact he was a teacher.

Three weeks ago, Mr Barile and his wife Moira, of Dundee, had their car 
tyres slashed, glue poured into locks and eggs thrown at their home.

Last Updated: 05 January 2009 10:03 PM







http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080923/jsp/calcutta/story_9871006.jsp

Parents protest exam schedule
A STAFF REPORTER

A parent demonstrates outside Auxilium Convent on Monday. Picture by 
Amit Datta
Students and parents gathered outside Auxilium Convent School in Dum Dum 
on Monday to protest the authorities’ decision to scrap the half-yearly 
examination and hold tests for two subjects per day along with regular 
classes.
The school had taken the decision after question papers were leaked.
The parents demonstrating in front of the school had other grievances, too.
They alleged that though each student was made to pay Rs 2,000 for the 
construction of a science block on the premises, the authorities didn’t 
give them a receipt.
“We repeatedly requested for a receipt for income tax deductions, but 
the school management didn’t oblige,” said a parent.
“We noticed discrepancies in the functioning of the school recently and 
brought it to the notice of the principal. She hardly paid any heed to 
our grievances,” said C. Chakrabarty, another parent.
The parents also said that students are forced to run up and down the 
four-storeyed building during class hours because only the top and 
ground floors have toilets.
“The asbestos roof makes the classrooms on the top floor extremely hot 
and the children often fall ill. We have brought the matter to the 
notice of the authorities several times but they have not taken any step 
to address our complaints,” said a parent who did not want to be named.
The principal, Sister Lucy, admitted that there were a few problems but 
said that they could be solved through discussion.
“Neither the grievances nor the issues are big enough to create problems 
between us and the guardians. I think there is some misunderstanding. We 
will resolve it at the earliest.”
Tuesday , September 23 , 2008






http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Environment&set_id=1&click_id=14&art_id=vn20080923060803974C125080

Pupils burn buildings to protest eviction

September 23 2008 at 11:50AM

Related Articles
• Nelspruit stadium talks to continue
• Cosatu outraged as stadium workers axed


By Thabisile Khoza and Tshwarelo Mogakane

Hundreds of toyi-toying schoolchildren picketed the 2010 World Cup 
stadium in Nelspruit after they torched a library and two classrooms in 
protest against being evicted from their schools.

The fire-bombed buildings are part of a new temporary prefabricated 
school built to accommodate pupils from the historic Cyril Clark High 
and John Mdluli Primary in Matsafeni.

The original schools have been earmarked for demolition to make way for 
a parking lot for the R1-billion stadium.

"The learners started protesting outside the stadium at 7am on Monday 
morning. We deployed a heavy police presence, but the officers were 
distracted by some of the demonstrators when suddenly the buildings were 
torched," said Nelspruit police spokesperson Inspector Dawie Pretorius.


Police then fired teargas into the crowd and forced the protesters away 
from the stadium into the fenced yard of the temporary school.

Although police had not arrested anyone over the fires, they did arrest 
three pupils and three adult Matsafeni community members for allegedly 
smashing locks on a gate to the stadium construction site.

"We arrested the six suspected ringleaders, between the ages of 15 and 
25, on charges relating to malicious damage to property," said Pretorius.

Confirming that the protests at the stadium site had become an almost 
daily occurrence, Pretorius said the demonstrators complained that the 
new prefabricated school was impossible to study in.

"We suspect that the learners are not satisfied with conditions in the 
prefab schools. They say the classrooms are unhealthy and extremely 
hot," he said.

Three of the protesters - Mavis Dube, 17, Tiger Mavuso, 18 and Jabulile 
Khoza, 16, - said that while their old schools were solidly built brick 
buildings, the new school was a flimsy "Zozo" building without 
ventilation or protection against the Lowveld's humidity and heat.

"Up to six learners collapse each day because of the heat. Even the 
teachers no longer try to teach after break, because they know no one 
can concentrate," explained Khoza.

"The politicians and city council all promised us a better, bigger brick 
school, but here we sit in Zozo huts. The old schools are still 
standing. We were kicked out so that the contractors could use them as 
offices."

Mavuso added: "They are making us sacrifice our education and our health 
for the 2010 World Cup. The soccer will only last a short time but our 
lives will be ruined forever."

Municipal spokesperson Vusi Sibiya said: "The mayor is not involved The 
people who must take responsibility are the provincial Education 
Department."

Provincial education spokesperson Jasper Zwane is on holiday and 
referred all questions to spokesperson Kagiso Phatlane, who was 
unavailable for comment.








http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2397855,00.html

Kids torch school in protest
23/09/2008 08:07 - (SA)

Thabisile Khoza & Tshwarelo Mogakane
Nelspruit - Hundreds of toyi-toying schoolchildren picketed Mpumalanga's 
2010 Soccer World Cup stadium in Nelspruit on Monday after they torched 
a library and two classrooms in protest against being evicted from their 
schools.
The firebombed buildings are part of a new temporary prefabricated 
school built to accommodate pupils from the historic Cyril Clark High 
and John Mdluli Primary schools in Matsafeni.
The original schools have been earmarked for demolition to make way for 
a parking lot for the R1bn stadium.
"The learners started protesting outside the stadium at 07:00 on Monday 
morning. We deployed a heavy police presence, but the officers were 
distracted by some of the demonstrators when suddenly the buildings were 
torched," said Nelspruit police spokesperson, Inspector Dawie Pretorius.
Teargas fired
Police then fired teargas into the crowd, and forced the protestors away 
from the stadium into the fenced yard of the temporary school.
Although police have not yet arrested anyone for the fires, they did 
arrest three pupils and three adult Matsafeni community members for 
allegedly smashing locks on a gate to the stadium construction site.
"We arrested the six suspected ringleaders, between the ages of 15 and 
25 years, on charges relating to malicious damage to property," said 
Inspector Pretorius.
Confirming that the protests at the stadium site had become an almost 
daily occurrence, Inspector Pretorius said the demonstrators 
consistently complained that the new prefabricated school was impossible 
to study in.
Three of the protestors, Mavis Dube, 17, Tiger Mavuso, 18, and Jabulile 
Khoza, 16, said that while their old schools were solidly built brick 
buildings, the new school was a flimsy building without ventilation or 
protection against the Lowveld region's humidity and heat.
Learners collapse
"Up to six learners collapse each day because of the heat. Even the 
teachers no longer try to teach after break, because they know no-one 
can concentrate," explains Khoza.
"The politicians and city council all promised us a better, bigger, 
brick school but here we sit in Zozo huts. The old schools are still 
standing. We were kicked out so the contractors could use them as offices."
Mbombela municipal spokesperson, Vusi Sibiya, confirmed that the city 
council is responsible for the 2010 stadium project but refused to 
accept responsibility for the schools.
"The mayor is not involved. The only thing that links us to the protests 
is that both the schools and the stadiums are in our municipal area. The 
people who must take responsibility are the provincial education 
department," said Sibiya.
Provincial education spokesperson Jasper Zwane is on holiday and 
referred all questions on the issue to spokesperson Kagiso Phatlane - 
who was in meetings all day and unavailable for comment.
Education department head Raymond Tywakadi also declined to take calls 
on the matter, saying he was meetings.
- African Eye