Charles University wants registration fees












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            * Charles University wants registration fees
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            The Prague Post, 26.8.2009

            ‘Tuition in disguise’ upsets student groups
            In an attempt to mend its budget gap, Charles University has been working to implement a r
            fee of thousands of crowns that it plans to present to the Education Ministry in September

            extensive proposal to amend legislation on higher education.
            Dubbed by critics as “tuition in disguise,” the proposed 4,800 Kč ($267) fee marks yet ano
            higher education toward a tuition-based system, something the state has been mulling for y

            The idea of a tuitionbased university system has surfaced numerous times over the past sev
            help bolster a flaying economy, but officials have always stated that it would take a mini

            four years to put such a model in place.
            While Charles University’s proposed annual fee would help cover directorial, service and a
            operating costs, boosting the university’s resources 7 percent, the move has many student 

            foul.
            “The Student Chamber of the Council of HigherEducation Institutions is convinced that the 
            of education would not deliver the often-mentioned positive effects — increased income of 

            institutions, the rise of quality of education and students’ motivation,” says Miroslav Ja
            chamber’s spokesman. “The implementation of tuition is often accompanied by a drop in expe
            higher education from the state budget.”

            Jašurek also points out that the risks of tuition loans, which build on the assumption tha
            more than those who haven’t attended higher education and can therefore aptly pay back tui
            graduating.

            “This assumption, however, became problematic once the Czech higher-education system chang
            elitist system to a universal one — more than 50 percent of the corresponding age group en
            system,” he says.

            Officials at Charles University point out that the annual budget is short 2 billion Kč. Ac
            study by the university’s Centre for Education Politics, the country’s average relative ex
            student in 2008 stands a quarter lower than the EU average. The university estimates the b

            somewhere between 7 billion and 10 billion Kč.
            The Education Ministry is not completely onboard with the university’s plans, arguing that
            financial aid system should precede any form of financial contribution from the student bo

            In its reform proposal concerning tertiary education that passed the government in January
            Ministry calls for a discussion of the possible forms of students’ financial contributions
            state study loans to be repaid after graduation.

            Motivation
            Under the ministry’s proposal, a system of loans would be launched beforehand, and the mon
            paid back in installments from the graduate’s wages. In addition, tuition would only apply

            started their education after the law was introduced. Those who started their studies earl
            to pay tuition, according to ministry officials. Right now, a public highereducation degre
            students anything.

            The plan has its advocates. “The implementation of tuition would increase the students’ mo
            really work and to demand quality education in return for their money and, subsequently, i
            influence the quality of higher education,” says Václav Havlíček, the head of the Czech Te

            University (ČVUT) and the deputy chair of the Czech Rectors’ Conference.
            Havlíček, however, empathizes with Charles University’s attempt to replenish its budget wi
            fees and points to ČVUT’s tight yearly budget of 1.3 million Kč for 24,000 students. The l

            essentially translates into few teaching spots and poor student housing, he points out.
            Although Charles University seeks a substantial financial student involvement, it opposes 
            role of the student down to an economic one. University officials also say they don’t want

            students’ status diminish to that of clients, consumers and a future work force.
            Martina Čermáková