Democratic Palestine : 3 (ص 37)
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- Democratic Palestine : 3 (ص 37)
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Demonstrations
in Yarmouk University
In late February, the University of Yarmouk, in Irbid, Jordan, wit-
nessed a mass student movement, the broadest and most active
since the University was established. Students moved to oppose
certain measures implemented by the University Administration, and
demanded reforms in the University curriculum. Also there were
demands for democratic rights for students and trade unions in Jor-
dan.
470 students suspended
This protest movement arose when
the University Administration launched
an attack against the students. Accord-
ing to University sources, 470 students
were suspended. They are enrolled in
different colleges and years. A great part
of them are in their 4th academic year -
72 engineering students, 174 students
enrolled in the College of Sciences, 122
enrolled in the College of Administrative
Sciences, 74 enrolled in the College of
Literature, 10 enrolled in the Schools og
Medicine, Pharmacy, and Medical
Technology.
The suspensions included some
prominent student leaders who have
strongly opposed the security agents’
interference in the affairs of the stu-
dents.
The University Administration
enacted the suspensions on_ the
grounds that the students’ Accumulative
Grade Point Averages were below the
University’s minimum, which is known to
be 70%. In comparison, the minimum at
the Jordan University in Amman (the
only other university in Jordan), is 60%.
This argument of the University
Administration was rejected by the
majority of students and some faculty
members. Some faculty members pro-
tested the suspensions to the President,
Mr. Adnan Badran, and described them
as unconvincing, inhuman and dubious.
A statement issued by the students and
sent to the Popular Forces in Jordan,
called attention to the fact that the
administration's decision has grave
implications on the future of many stu-
dents: «lf this direction prevails in the
University Administration, great num-
bers of students will be exposed to final
suspension at the end of every semes-
ter».
In fact, this year’s action is not the
first in the history of the university. For
instance, 520 students were suspended
at the end of the first semester of the
Academic Year of 1982-83. This was fol-
lowed by suspending 180 students at
the end of the 2nd semester of the same
year.
Defect lies in the curriculum
This humiliating situation facing
many students in Jordan has deep-
rooted causes. The above mentioned
students’ statement asks: Where is the
defect and why do so many students get
suspended? Apparently, this deteriorat-
ing situation is a reflection of the hard
curriculum followed at the university,
which is the major reason for the sus-
pensions of the 470 students, if not
more. It is well known that it is the best
students of the secondary schools who
gain admittance to the two universities in
Jordan.
We notice this phenomena of sus-
pending students in the University of
Yarmouk, but not in the Jordanian Uni-
versity. Therefore, the main defect must
lie in the curriculum and the regulations
imposed on students.
_ Students go on strike
As aresult of the enduring problem,
the students at Yarmouk University
moved to protest these measures of the
University Administration, the university
regulations and the curriculum. On Feb-
ruary 6th, the events began when a big
number of students met in the main yard
of the university. They raised banners
emphasizing the nature of their protest
as an academic demonstration. Other
banners were raised condemning the
suspension of the 470 students due to
the nature of the curriculum. Later they
Organized a committee, representing
the suspended students and the others,
to meet the President of the university.
However, Badran refused to meet with
them. Instead, the Director of Student
Affairs came out, threatening the par-
ticipants of the demonstration. The stu-
dents continued their protest and
threatened to go on strike until the fol-
lowing demands were met: 1, The return
of all suspended students without any
conditions; 2. Modification of the cur-
riculum to provide a good level of educa-
tion that includes practical courses
‘related to the needs of the Jordanian
society; 3. Modifications in the system of
the university, so that it will coincide with
that of the Jordanian University, con-
cerning the Accumulative Grade Point
Average.
Gradually, the demonstration
expanded. Students were leaving their
lecture rooms to join the demonstration
on campus. In this process, the Office of
Admissions and Registration was forced
to close by the students, while the pro-
cess of payment of registration fees was
taking place. The demonstration passed
through the university, by almost every
college, and students joined until the
number of demonstrators reached
3000-4000.
As a result of the active mobiliza-
tion, some faculty members joined as
well, and submitted
37
the students’ p> - هو جزء من
- Democratic Palestine : 3
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