ALBANIA: TIRANA: SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES REOPEN

(29 Apr 1997) English/Nat

Schools and universities in the Albanian capital Tirana have reopened Tuesday.

The Albanian capital has struggled to return to normal after almost two months of chaos.

Students, bored after being forced to stay at home, are pleased to be back in the classroom.

Students at this high school in central Tirana don't think attending classes is a chore.

With parents acting as escorts and armed guards patrolling the school yards, the students returned after spending nearly two months at home.

Thousands of Albanians lost their savings after investing in fraudulent investment plans.

Furious, residents went on violent rampages after looting government armouries.

But now, with apparent calm, the government allowed students to get back to school. And most students welcome the chance to get back to work.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yes we are very happy for the beginning of the school. Yes."
SUPER CAPTION: Ela Kora, Student

Teachers say they are confident things will now get back to normal.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We all have expected this day. All the students wanted to come to school. I think that everything is quiet and we shall try and do our best to give as much as we can to our students."
SUPER CAPTION: Ludmilla Stefani, Teacher

But despite the return of confidence, some parents did not allow their children to return to school. They fear that too many teenagers may be carrying guns.

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