Charles University's Statement Regarding Tuition Fees

Charles University in Prague

Ovocný trh 5, Praha 1, 116 36

http://www.cuni.cz

June 15, 2010

Charles University considers the introduction of tuition fees and the topic of tuition fees in general a predominantly political question and a political decision.

It is not yet apparent, whether the political negotiations will lead to the direct or postponed model of tuition fees. In any case, we stress the necessity of taking steps to prevent tuition fees from becoming a social filter. It is not possible for talented and promising applicants to be excluded from higher education, because they cannot afford to pay the tuition fees. Therefore, we believe other forms of financial aid for students should be introduced besides the existing scholarships granted by institutions of higher education.

As for the postponed payment of tuition fees, we once more express our doubt over the high costs of management of the whole system and the difficulty of the enforcement of tuition fee payments.

We consider the sum of 20,000 CZK per academic year, which is expected to be the maximum amount of a tuition fee too high in the current economic situation.

As for the principle according to which institutions of higher education would be allowed to set the tuition fees themselves in the range designated by the law, we consider it purposeful a wholly agree with it. However, it is impossible to estimate the actual amounts yet. We welcome the option of setting different tuition fees for different programmes.

We also agree that the state should be able to designate subjects in which no tuition fees will be required and the state will cover the cost of the tuition fees, thus preferring necessary programmes in fields with low average wages (such as teaching).

As of now, no specific information about the higher education policy, let alone amendments to particular laws are available. Not knowing the specific legislative changes that are to be proposed, it is difficult to specify how much the introduction of tuition fees would boost Charles University's funding and what these funds could be used for.

It is absolutely essential that in case the tuition fees are introduced, there will be no cuts in public funding of higher education (or, that the tuition fees will be provide additional funding). We must point out that the existing public funding of higher education in the Czech Republic is one of the lowest in all Europe.

Contact:

Václav Hájek

Spokesman for Charles University

Department of external relations

Charles University

Phone:   +420 224 491 248

e-mail:   

Translation: Jaroslav Švelch