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High school students took to the streets to protest against the changes to the rules for awarding grants to universities. By Steve JORDAN (AFP)
The Gabonese government announced Thursday the suspension of its courses throughout the country after high school students protested against the proposed reduction of university scholarships.
"In its desire to calm the situation and listen to the public, the government of the republic decided to suspend the courts throughout the country," said Education Minister Michel Menga M & 39. Essonne, in a statement.
In late March, a draft decree reduced access to state scholarships for prospective university students, setting the minimum age for access to funds at 19, and requiring candidates to pbad a relatively high mark in the exam. certificate of study – at least 12 points maximum of 20.
Organizations representing high school students called on students to demonstrate peacefully on Monday, at the start of a new term, and to stay on the streets the following days.
Thousands of young people demonstrated in a number of cities, including hundreds of school uniforms who paraded and chanted in downtown Libreville, escorted by police.
The reform would significantly reduce the number of students eligible for this scholarship, which is worth about 83,000 CFA francs per month (127 euros / 143 dollars).
The Ministry of Higher Education has published figures showing that 65% of students who obtained a scholarship in 2017 on the basis of their bachelor's degree – or high school diploma – were 20 years of age or older .
Young protesters argued that the reduction would force them to "give orphans" and said they should enjoy the same rights as their parents and elders.
The government said it was "very attentive to the development of the social climate" and "concerned about this wave of discontent," in the statement released Thursday.
On Monday, Prime Minister Julien Nkogue Bekale defended the draft change in front of the press, highlighting in particular the economic difficulties of Gabon.
"The state and the government will do everything possible to give grants to our bright students, but we will not encourage mediocrity," he said.
Gabon, a former French colony in Equatorial Africa, has achieved a high standard of living in Africa, financed mainly by tropical oil and hardwood exports, but the economy has plunged into recession after the fall in prices. crude oil in 2014.
In 2017, Gabon obtained financial badistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a reduction in public spending.
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