The high school students protested in Serbia against introducing online hours. “I'm not a solution and are unacceptable”
High school students and citizens hold banners and flags during a demonstration against introducing online courses in the center of Novi Sad, Serbia, on April 26, 2025. The protest in Novi Sad was the latest of a series of anti-government rallies that have taken place in the last, triggered by the collapse of the roof, a symptom in the city. Photo source: Oliver grandfather / AFP / Profimedia
Thousands of people in front of which high school students were blocked on Saturdays in Novi Sad, in northern Serbia, to protest the introduction of online courses, denouncing the current boycott of schools, notes AFP.
High school students from all over Serbia were the first to join the student demonstrations, blocking schools throughout the country, according to Agerpres.
The demonstrations began in November after the collapse of the part of the concrete roof, recently renovated, from the station in Novi Sad, resulted in the death of 16 people. Students have been blocking the faculties since then and organizes large rallies.
The authorities condemned the blockages, and the teachers who supported the demonstrations or could not work because of the blockages supported the consequences. According to the unions, about 20,000 teachers no longer receive their salaries.
The announcement of the directors
The school principals sent emails at the beginning of April to announce the resumption of courses in online format.
“Online courses are not a solution and they are unacceptable,” the high school students said before Saturday's rally.
Come from all over Serbia, the students arrived on Friday night at Novi Sad, on foot or by bicycle, to participate in the rally that officially started on Saturday at 11:52, with 16 minutes of silence in memory of the victims of the train station in Novi Sad.
The manifestation was punctuated by speeches of teachers and high school students, as well as concerts.
“The school has to change and we have to listen to you. We have nothing to teach you,” said a teacher, Tanja Notros.
The national anthem of Serbia was played by a choir of students.
Rallies almost daily
Public indignation towards the tragedy in the station in Novi Sad, largely considered a symbol of deeply rooted corruption, has fueled the largest wave of demonstrations in Serbia since the 1990s.
Protest rallies took place almost daily, attracting hundreds of thousands of people in big cities.
The pressure on the government led to the prime minister's resignation and the Government's fall.
In response, President Aleksandar Vucic alternated between calls for dialogue and accusations that students are about to try a “colorful revolution”.
