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Cyprus, education, fees, Money, prices, Protests, universities

University of Nicosia students are protesting higher fees

PRIVATE university students took to the streets yesterday morning to protest against higher fees but by lunchtime, the Education Minister announced that the three universities had backed down.

“We discussed the issue in a very positive and understanding way,” said Minister Giorgos Demosthenous, who met with the heads of the boards of the three private universities - Frederick, European University and University of Nicosia.

According to Demosthenous, for the 2011-2012 academic year no private university student will pay more in tuition fees than what they paid in the previous academic year.

Just two weeks ago the government told private universities to return their tuition fees to last year’s levels or risk sanctions after they introduced hikes ranging from three to six per cent for the 2011-2012 academic year. 

Legal advice from the Attorney-general’s office said that the hikes were illegal and that private universities are required by law to secure permission from the Education Ministry before raising fees.

Under the 2005 law that governs the operation of universities, the latter universities had their fees approved for 2010-2011, which coincided with the expiry of the initial four-year operating licence granted to private universities. However under the amended law for 2010, for any revision of tuition fees for 2011-2012, it was mandatory for universities to submit an application to the ministry. It appeared that universities misunderstood and interpreted it as the fees approved back in 2005 also covered the 2011-2012 period.

“We also wanted to mention, as it is a still a pending issue and because the three universities appealed to the Supreme Court, that any Supreme Court decision will be respected,” said Demosthenous.