Cabinet backs Open University places for conscripts

THE CABINET yesterday approved a proposal by the Education Ministry to offer 1,000 Open University positions to National Guard conscripts.

The proposal, made in collaboration with the Defence Ministry, will offer soldiers the opportunity to make a head-start on their studies while they are carrying out their service and it will come into immediate effect.

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Education Minister Akis Kleanthous said this would offer conscripts the chance to finish their first year of university and save them from losing another year.
“They will be given academic education equal to a year of university studies and they will be able to gather the relevant academic points and transfer this education to any university they wish to join,” the minister pointed out.

Kleanthous described the decision as a revolution in higher education and a debt owed by the state to conscripts.

One of the main issues faced by soldiers is the boredom of not doing much during their two-year service, intensified by the fact that they miss out on two years of their studies. Now, they will have the chance to reduce this time.

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