BUCHAREST, Oct. 24 -- The Romanian Parliament will meet in an emergency session to discuss the demands of 250,000 university students protesting high taxes on those who fail their annual exams, a government official said Tuesday. 'The standing bureau of the Senate will summon lawmakers to discuss a law in favor of the students' claims,' said Oliviu Gherman, chairman of the Senate. Despite the announcement, students say they remain skeptical. Over the last seven days, some 15,000 universitystudents have staged street demonstrations in Bucharest to protest the taxes on those who fail their exams and the unsatisfactory accommodations offered by the government as part of a free all-grade education system. Protests reached a climax on Friday when police forces backed by armored vehicles used clubs and tear gas to disperse a huge compact mass of students heading for the government building. However, Gherman rejected the idea of amending the education law, arguing it would be 'immoral' to change something that had been passed 'merely one month ago.' Instead, he proposed a bill to improve the students' 'social status, ' including low transportation and catering fees. In a peace-making move, the ruling Social Democracy Party promised to sack education officials who rammed through the burdensome re- examination taxes of up to $1,000, ten times the average monthly salary. Students complained that the government violated the Constitution, which stipulates that university campuses are wholly autonomous in making their own rules. 'The only authority able to charge fees will be the university senate,' said Gherman amid hopes that students would enjoy wider access to university councils to back their claims.
However, students have voiced doubts that the usually slow parliamentary procedures would meet their demands in due time. 'We are fed up with promises. The strike is on until we see the change in black and white,' said Cristian Ursea, leader of the Bucharest Students' League.
