Shqip
English
Tirana, 09 October 2017 -The Albanian National Youth Network - ANYN in cooperation with the Albanian Coalition for Education (ACE) in the framework of the implementation of the National Youth Contract, Youth Resolution and based on Objective no. 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, organized today the Open Discussion "The case of higher education law in Albania: to be or not be".
Since 2015, the Higher Education Law which relates to university and education is in the center of discussion for all students, Public University pedagogues, who from the moment of the approval have came up against by continuously addressing the problems, dissatisfaction and consequences that this law brings to students across the country.
This open discussion was aimed at discussing and analyzing the problems, dissatisfaction, difficulties and consequences that this law has brought to the students nationwide, but also to encourage them to identify and address possible solutions in order that this law to be more supportive for students across the country.
One of the main consequences that the Higher Education Law has brought for all students is the increase of the cost of studies. The lack of bylaws has made the law enforceable by denying thousands of students across the country the right to pursue higher education, by turning them to the poverty. From the lack of implementation of this law, among others, students do not yet have a Student Card to provide quality and friendly service during the pursuit of studies. A major concern of the law that remains unclear is whether the law will finance Private Universities, despite the fact that the latter benefit greatly from applying high students fees.
Some of the issues that focused on discussion with youth, students, professors and representatives of youth civil society organizations participated on this meeting were: Financing of Universities; Students Rights; Payment / Studies Fee; Governance of Universities.
During the meeting, students and youth organizations addressed a series of problems as a result of the Higher Education Law such as:a) Students fees are unaffordable! Allocation of public funds to private universities leads to increased inequality; b) The quality of services offered at the Public Universities is not proportionate to the annual study fee that students pay; c) Lack of necessary infrastructure for blind and disabled students; d) Currently the Student Councils are not functional; e) The Career Counseling Offices in High Schools and Universities are not functional; f) Lack of a national employment survey; g) Lack of quality health services for students nationwide; h) The corruption in Public Universities is High enough!i) During the drafting of the Law on Higher Education has had political influence.
The requirements, issues and priorities addressed during this meeting for the Higher Education Law, will be the issues of an advocacy document to the Government and the Assembly.
For more information, please contact: Klaudio Pulaha, Albanian National Youth Network, Cel: 067 500 20 21, E-mail: klaudio.pulaha@crca.al
