DUSHANBE, June 2, 2009, Asia-Plus — Under the conditions of the global financial crisis the government ought to review the education system policy, especially regarding to higher educational institutions, deputy of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Yusuf Ahmadov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, education payments are expected to significantly rise this year. “Over the past three years, education payments in paid departments of Tajik universities have risen some 50-100 percent,” said Ahmadov, “Moreover, the payments have been raised unfoundedly.”
He noted that universities should act strictly in the framework of the specific program coordinating all aspects of their activities, including monetary policy,
MP suggests that education payments to universities should be made through the national budget. “I think students should pay money not to university cash offices but to any savings bank office,” said Ahmadov, “Only in this case, the funds will reach state.” Besides, he offers to make education payments in the national currency “in order to avoid negative impact of currency jumps.”
“I also consider it necessary to reduce education payments by at least 50 percent because not all those interested in studying at universities have such large funds,” Ahmadov said.
He also noted that the government should work out an education crediting system. “In my opinion, loans should be preferential with annual interest rate of not more than 5 or 7 percent and persons should repay them in five years on graduation of university,” Ahmadov noted.
