Students blocked the Rectorate of the University of Niš in order to end the possibility of conducting online lectures, Serbian media reported, BTA reports.
According to the protesters, the blockade will continue until the rector Jovan Stepanović and the deans of the faculties sign a declaration committing themselves that distance learning will not be implemented.
The decision to switch to online classes was made within a month by four faculties at the University of Niš - the Law, Economics, Medicine and the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education.
In recent weeks, other faculties at the universities of the other three major academic centers in Serbia have also switched to distance learning. The measure was introduced to make up for missed classes after teaching activities were interrupted during the autumn-winter session due to mass student blockades.
The reason for the escalating protests was the tragedy of November 1 last year in Novi Sad, when a canopy collapsed at the railway station and claimed the lives of 16 people. The incident caused a wave of public outrage and a chain of student blockades that covered over 60 faculties in the country. According to the protesters, the tragedy is the result of corrupt practices and poor-quality repairs. They demand political and criminal responsibility, as well as action against corruption and political influence on institutions.
In early May, the students called for early parliamentary elections. They announced that they would not run for parliament, but would support an independent citizens' list composed of individuals who had not previously been part of the country's political life.