site.btaUniversity Students Protest Tuition Fee Hike After Higher Education Act Amendments

Aleksandar Tanev, a law student in a paid programme at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, said on Wednesday evening that the draft amendments to the Higher Education Act, passed at first reading in the National Assembly earlier that day, did not meet student demands.

He spoke during the student protest Education Is a Right – Not a Privilege! held near the underpass by the Sofia University metro station, which was organized in response to the rise in tuition fees for paid university programmes.

The protest was organized near the underpass by the Sofia University metro station in reaction to the recent increases in tuition for students in paid programmes at higher education institutions.

Tanev said, “Students are protesting today because they have no choice. If we stay at home today, tomorrow we will not be able to afford to come to Sofia University or other universities in the country. The increase in fees, by two or three times, concerns all students in all state universities in Bulgaria, and we have no other option; today we must defend our right to education.” Tanev spoke to journalists at the protest.

Asked whether the amendments in the Higher Education Act adopted at first reading in the National Assembly on Wednesday, which provide for up to a 25% reduction in paid tuition fees, satisfied the students, Tanev replied that the 25% reduction applies to already increased fees, which had gone up by 100% to 200%. “We cannot agree with such a change and today at the protest we are demanding a different change: 50% instead of 100%. This would mean a slight increase in our fees and make it possible for our colleagues to pay without having to interrupt their studies,” he explained.

“The protest is organized solely by students. This is neither a political protest nor a partisan action, and all of the organization has been done by us and students from many universities in different cities. I hope our demands will be heard and we will continue to fight for our future. We are open to dialogue, and I hope the State will be willing to enter into talks with us to find the best solution to the problem,” Tanev said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the National Assembly passed at first reading amendments to the Higher Education Act relating to fees for students in paid programmes.

There will be no grounds to increase tuition fees for students in paid programmes after the changes to the Higher Education Act, Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev told journalists at the National Assembly.