Police officers poured tear gas into the crowd after students hurled bricks and concrete blocks at the education ministry, a move that prompted a rapid deployment of water cannons to quell the violence. The demonstrators, numbering in the hundreds, had converged on the ministry’s front steps to spotlight deteriorating campus conditions, soaring tuition fees, the scarcity of financial aid, and the bleak prospects for employment after graduation.
Luljeta Kola, a 22‑year‑old student who had joined the walkout, declared that Albania needs a revolution to overturn systemic injustices that widen the gap between the rich and the poor. She accused the state of ignoring the plight of ordinary students who face crippling debt and limited job opportunities.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu took to Facebook to denounce the violence, stating that "violence has not been, is not, and will never be a solution," and criticised the destruction of public property as unacceptable for youth expression.
The Tirana protest fits into a broader wave of student activism sweeping Europe, with French high‑school students recently staging weeks of blockades demanding better facilities and more teachers. Albania’s actions underscore a growing tension between young citizens and authorities over educational reform.
While the police detained 35 demonstrators, authorities have announced that the arrests will be reviewed in light of national security protocols, and the government has pledged to revisit student grievances in an upcoming parliamentary session.