Students Forced to Pledge Distance from Political Parties

2011-09-27

AMMONNEWS - University students receiving 'Makruma' scholarships were asked to sign a pledge not to join memberships of any political parties and not to conduct any political activities on university campuses.

The Higher Coordination Committee of the Jordanian National Opposition Political Parties on Monday blasted the move to force students to sign such pledges, stressing that such a stipulation violates principles of freedom and obstructs the development of democratic and political life.

Students who receive 'Makruma' scholarships allocated for underprivileged areas noted that they were asked to sign a pledge not to participate in political activism inside university campuses.

A statement issued by the Opposition Political Parties' Coordination Committee on Monday cited receiving notice from the 'National Campaign for Students' Rights' noting that Makruma students were asked to sign the pledge.

The Committee requested clarification from Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit during a meeting last Saturday, at which Bakhit noted that he had no knowledge of such a decision.

Source: Ammon News.
Link: http://en.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=13901.