Government
University union declares open-ended teaching boycott: lecturers to protest daily alongside students
SPUSH unanimously decided to suspend classes at all public universities from Oct. 21, demanding an end to violence against students and an independent investigation into the use of force.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 20, 2026, 22:42 · Updated 12:25 · 2 min read
In brief
- The Union of University Employees of Albania declared a teaching boycott until further notice.
- Lecturers will gather every day at 10 a.m. at the Central Building of the Polytechnic University.
- The union is demanding an independent investigation into the violence since Oct. 13 and dignified treatment for detained students.
The Union of University Employees of Albania (SPUSH) has declared an open-ended teaching boycott at all of the country's public universities, in solidarity with the university and high school students protesting in Tirana. The decision was taken unanimously by the union's leadership at a meeting held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the protest square itself.
The boycott begins today, Oct. 21, and will last until further notice. Lecturers have been invited to gather every day at 10 a.m. in front of the Central Building of the Polytechnic University of Tirana, and according to morning reports they will be in the square alongside the students every day, demanding the prime minister's resignation.
The union's demands
SPUSH is calling for an immediate end to violence against students and peaceful protesters, an independent and transparent investigation into the use of force since Oct. 13, and accountability for those who, according to the union, ordered or used violence. It is also demanding lawful and dignified treatment for every detained student and that young people's demands for quality education, decent health care, security and accountability be met.
“Lecturers cannot continue teaching as usual while their students are being beaten in the streets,” the union's statement says. It stresses that the boycott is not an abandonment of the lecture hall and that lecturers will return to the classroom as soon as the students receive the answer they deserve.
Appeal to rectors
The union is asking rectors and heads of institutions to respect the decision and not to take disciplinary measures against lecturers or students who take part. Lecturers are instructed to keep in regular contact with students and make teaching materials available to them, while lost classes will be made up later.
SPUSH's decision marks the broadest involvement yet of academic staff in the protests that have been shaking the capital for more than a week, at a time when the government has offered dialogue but the students have rejected it.
