BRATISLAVA, March 24, (WEBNOVINY) – Deputies of the ruling coalition approved introduction of tuition fees for all external university study programs in parliament, as proposed by KDH deputies Martin Fronc, Pavol Abrhan and Pavol Hrusovsky. The change was necessary based on a finding of the Constitutional Court, which ruled that it was unconstitutional to charge only one group of students for their education, as the original law said that state universities could introduce tuition fees for external students. In line with the new wording, part-time students will be able to win a scholarship based on their study results.
Another option to correct the unconstitutional stipulation in the university act was to approve a free study for all external students. Dusan Caplovic of the opposition SMER-SD supported this option. Independent deputy Igor Matovic wanted to endorse a similar solution, but eventually supported the coalition draft. Based on Matovic’s proposal for changes, 10,000 of the best part-time students will be able to get a scholarship. The new wording of the law will also cancel caps on the amount of external students at universities.
If president signs the bill into law, it will take effect as of May 1 of this year. The part of the law dealing with scholarships will take effect as of 2012.
SITA