It was the year 2004 when Luljeta Bozo, as a lecturer at the Polytechnic University, joined the strike of professors for the reform of higher education and revision of salaries, addressed to the government of that time led by Fatos Nano.
"There were many things that did not work at that time for the normal functioning of the university. We made a request initially, which was not taken into consideration, and so we were forced to express our requests "to the world", so to speak, in our house at the university, which was accepted. There was a change in salaries and changes in the definition of a fund for scientific research, because science cannot be done without investment", said Luljeta Bozo.
With the passage of 18 years, the teachers' protests have returned with almost the same demands, the doubling of the salary within two years.
But in addition to being an academic with 58 years of experience, Luljeta Bozo today also has a seat in Parliament as a deputy, representative of the people on the side of the socialist government.
"There are some problems that have nothing to do with either the left or the right, education belongs to everyone", said Bozo.
The 80-year-old supports the idea that lecturers should have a better economic treatment.
But deputy Bozo thinks that nowadays they should take into account that a university lecturer is also a citizen of the Republic of Albania and their demands should be based on the reality where they live, in the conditions of a global crisis as a result of the war in Ukraine and after the pandemic earthquake experienced by Albanians.
"We may have many demands and they may be fair, but we must see that we are not separated from society and the people. So we ask for many things... but do we have the possibilities to realize them? We don't have them!", said Liljeta Bozo for TCH.
For Luljeta Bozon, in this situation the government is paying attention to the lecturers with the decision to increase salaries by 7% from the state budget, and up to 15% from the university itself.
She seems to be in the same line with Prime Minister Rama that not all lecturers should be paid the same, but should be evaluated based on performance and increase their salary.
"The pedagogue should not only be a teacher but also a scientist. They kill your mind, sit down and make projects!", declared Bozo.