STUDENTS from the University of Health Sciences who failed first-year exams continued to protest in front of their school on Monday despite government warnings of a crackdown, managing to wrench an extra concession from government officials.

Following Monday’s protest, In Viracheat, a secretary of state at the Council of Ministers, signed a directive stating that Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to grant the 1,425 students who failed their exams three options: to move into second-year nursing studies, to retake their exams on October 24 and 25, or to continue their studies at another school.

Student Keo Moly said the students respected the directive issued by the government but still demanded full admission into the second year of their health science courses.

She said that some students have agreed to continue their studies at other universities as per the directive but joined in the protest to support students who did not agree with the terms.

The students have been protesting since September 10, claiming there were irregularities in their exams, and that scores had not been released by the university.

Groups of riot police were deployed at the University of Health Sciences on Monday following government warnings, but the day’s protests saw no violence.