The time has come in Skopje for students to raise their voice, defend their rights, and ask for better education system. It all started in 2014 when the government of the Republic of Macedonia wanted to make changes to the system and introduce a final state exam at the end of the university studies. Students disapproved this change.
Aleksandra Filipova, 20-year-old law student, who is member of the Student Plenum, is passionate about civil rights and freedom, their protection, analysis of youth and educational policies.
MJ: Can you explain what the Student Plenum is and what it stands for?
AF: Student Plenum is a horizontal structure that seeks to protect, defend and represent the rights and interests of students. What is good for the Student Plenum is its horizontal structure, which allows everyone to be equal and represent their views and opinions.
MJ: What were the main reasons for the Plenum to start acting?
AF: The Student Plenum began to act because the young people decided to create a form of student self-organization for two reasons: firstly, it was because of the poor policies and reforms in the field of higher education that culminated with the proposal for the final state exam. Secondly, there was no other functional student’s representative body that would advocate their interests. The Student Parliament at the State University Ss. Cyril and Methodius has not been representing the students properly for years now. Its function as student representative body is nothing but a formality.
MJ: Today the Student Plenum is a symbol of student representation and justice. What were the activities the Student Plenum organized that led to its reputation?
AF: Since the government’s announcement about the final state exam, the Student Plenum organized three marches and we showed to the public that we have no fear to fight and express our opinion. The authorities didn’t recognize our actions, they simply ignored us. Therefore, we organized an autonomous zone at the university. Our request was to withdraw the final state exam which in the end was a victory for the students and the education system. Furthermore, the Student Plenum advocated for better dormitories and conditions for the students to live in. These activities were followed by a lot of public debates and discussions, especially in January 2016 where we opposed the opening of two new universities “Mother Teresa” and “Dame Gruev”. The process and decision for opening the universities was simply not legit. In addition a lot of research showed that these universities would decrease the quality of higher education in Macedonia. Unfortunately, we didn’t stop this from happening.
MJ: What are the current activities of the Plenum?
AF: On 30th June the Student Parliament at the State University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, organized illegal and illegitimate elections. The Student Plenum is now working on a model for student organization and representation that will allow all students to participate in the Student Parliament. Our goal is to have a legit student representative body that will fight for student’s rights.
MJ: You seem rather involved and passionate about this issue. What was your personal motivation to join the Plenum?
AF: I joined the High School Plenum HH because I believe that young people can really change something, only if we are united, organized and individually motivated to join the fight. The overall experience, the change we made motivated me to further get involved in the Student Plenum and to start the fight for higher education. Mostly, I was motivated and fascinated by the young people in both Plenums: the fact that they don’t do this for money, power or success, but sincere desire for real change, and for me that is the most essential.
MJ: What are your hopes for the future?
AF: I sincerely hope that in future the situation will improve. I hope that instead of promoting populist measures and reforms, the institutions will work on rehabilitation of existing problems. Most importantly, I hope that young people will be consulted before any decision is made that concerns and involves them. It is the only way for the society to be inclusive and to properly meet the needs of young people. I hope the student organization will continue and solve institutional problems.
Mila JOVANOVSKA