Image taken by: Nada Hesham
As Egypt announced the Egyptian Pound floatation, prices all over the country skyrocketed. Amongst the many monetary changes that generically took place due to the economic crisis of Egypt, was the rise of tuition fees by almost 30% in most private educational institutions. In response to this significant rise and crisis, students of the American University in Cairo went on a massive civilised strike against the administration.
The strike took place yesterday noon, following a forum attempt held by the university’s administration. The forum was held in hopes of creating a flow of communication with the students in regards to the tuition fees, where change can be made. However, the students began to feel as though the answers to their questions were empty and uncooperative, and therefore on spot, a member of the Student Union called for all students to walk together on a strike towards the administration building.
“After the strike, the administration told the students to give the university two days to come up with solutions.”
A massive amount of students then walked, unanimously shouting phrases such as “Ta3ala khod folosak, el gam3a dee hadosak” (Come take your money, this university will step on you!), and “Yali saket, saket leh, abok 7aramy wala eh?” (You who is quiet, why are you quiet? Is your father a thief or what?).
After the strike, the administration told the students to give the university two days to come up with solutions, and announced the occurrence of a public student forum where a a short term solution will be discussed and announced. The forum is to be held tomorrow at 1 pm at AUC.
Watch the documentation of the strike below, posted by the AUC Student Union Facebook Page:
