The Government has today (October 8) proposed the introduction of tuition fees for international students outside the EU / EEA despite a unanimous Parliament that said no to this for under a yearago. International Students’ Union of Norway (ISU) believes the proposal for tuition fees is a very negative impact for Norwegian higher education and hopes that Parliament is principled in the budget process.
The proposal will have direct budgetary impact by withdrawing 80.5 million in funding to the institutions. The Government will, as a consequence of the proposed changes in the regulations will make it possible for institutions to charge tuition fees to cover the cut on the 80.5 million.
This is a direct threat to the principle of free education, the foundation in Norwegian higher education.
A threat to one is a threat to all
ISU has issued a press release in conjunction with the state budget. Statement from the leader of ISU, Abbas Sharif is available here.
The organisation has a clear policy that the principle of free education is one of the cornerstones of Norwegian higher education. Last year, the government proposed a study of tuition fees for international students in order to implement this, but Parliament opposed the proposal. The government now takes a rematch.
We oppose against this proposal. We hope for a good cooperation with our member kind, cooperating organisations and the rest of the sector. We hope and believe that Venstre (Liberal Party) and KrF (Christian Democratic Party) again will make sure to preserve the principle of free education.
This is a direct threat to the principle of free education, the foundation in Norwegian higher education. A threat to one is a threat to all.
Read the Press release from ISU leader Abbas Sharif in the link below.
http://isu-norway.no/blog/
