New Tuition Fee Proposal

The Conference of Hungarian Rectors approved an alternative tuition fee proposal behind closed doors at Károly Róbert College in Gyöngyös yesterday. According to plans in the possession of Magyar Hírlap, a broader sphere of college and university students would be obliged to pay tuition fees. Only 25% of university and college students could pursue tertiary education free of charge, while 75% would pay according to academic performance.

Education Minister István Hiller announced that no tuition fees will be introduced for the foreseeable future, but added that a broader sphere of students than at present will be obliged to pay fees.

National Conference of Students Councils president Norbert Miskolczi said students would take to the streets in protest if the rectors’ proposals are introduced.

Péter Ágh, deputy chairman of Fidelitas, the youth wing of Fidesz, said he fails to understand why rectors are meeting when ordinary people made it clear that they do not want tuition fees at the March 9 referendum.

The proposal will be debated by Higher Education Round Table members on April 30, Népszabadság reports.

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tuition fee, higher education