Nečas: concession on college tuition one of several alternatives

Prime Minister Petr Nečas has said that his education minister’s concession on college tuition is only one of several alternatives. He added that it would not be possible to begin private funding of the higher education system in this electoral term. The introduction of college tuition has been one of the government’s policy priorities, but Education Minister Josef Dobeš backed down from it on Monday amid fierce criticism and protests, suggesting that fees be raised on secondary and extended college programmes instead. Under the new proposal, the standard length of study would be covered by the state. Fees for those who study multiple college programmes would increase by ten times, up to 26,000 crowns per year. The original plan called for tuition of up to 10,000 crowns per semester, with the option of student loans. Mr Nečas said that promoting that option without a complicated legislative process has long been discussed.

Author: Jan Velinger