THE EDUCATION Ministry has come under fire from the National Students’ Federation (POFNE) over rises in tuition fees for private colleges in Cyprus.
Three colleges have come under investigation by the Ministry for consecutive increases in tuition fees. Legislation regulating the issue of tuition fees states that colleges can raise fees after every two years, within stated margins approved by the government.
In past years, the government had not allowed fee increases of more than six per cent. This year, however, the ceiling was set at 10.5 per cent. But Frederick College are still under investigation for setting fees even higher than the new margin.
Valentinos Polycarpou, General Secretary of POFNE, yesterday expressed his frustration at the Education Ministry’s slow response to the issue of fees, saying a letter had been on September 5, highlighting that three colleges were raising tuition fees beyond the legal limit. The government did not meet with the students’ union to discuss the issue until October 15.
“The Ministry researched our claim and I went to the meeting. I was informed that Cyprus College and Intercollege had been approved, but Frederick College had in fact raised the fees illegally and could be taken to court,” said Polycarpou.
Polycarpou disputes the ministry’s decision to clear Cyprus College and Intercollege, saying tuition fees for both institutes has risen for three years running.
But a source at Frederick College dismissed the union’s allegations. “POFNE just didn’t like it. It was not an illegal rise and I am not aware that there is an official problem with the rise.”
This year, the fees at Frederick have risen by £200 to a total of £3,000 for two years at the college.
Natasa Frederickou, spokeswoman for Frederick College, emphasised that “the college will act upon whatever the Education Ministry tell us. We sent a letter to the Ministry twice about the issue and we are still awaiting their decision, so we have not acted illegally in anyway.”
Efstathios Michael, Senior Education Officer at the Education Ministry, agrees. “I would not say there is an illegal increase, as we are discussing this matter further in another meeting.”
The Ministry says the ball is now in Frederick’s court: “We have asked the college to bring their fees into line with our margins and are waiting from them to do it.”
POFNE’s Polycarpou said it was students who would end up suffering, but pledged untiring support for their cause. “As general secretary of POFNE, I would like to say that for all the students in private colleges, our organisation is here to help them fight these issues as their listening body. If an illegal or unjust action occurs, POFNE will be there to fight for them.”
