Mykola Tomenko: It should be verified whether it was Legitimate to raise Tuition Fees in Several Higher Education Establishments
In the period of admission campaign, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Mykola Tomenko has received the letters informing about the increase of tuition fees.
Thus, tuition fees for specialty "architecture" in Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture increased by UAH 4000 or 25% in comparison with the previous academic year; for specialty "dentistry" in the National O.O.Bohomolets Medical University by UAH 2290 (12%), for speciality "pharmacy" by UAH 1778 (12%). M.Tomenko stated that it contradicts the Law of Ukraine "On Education" in part of tuition fees.
He stated that similar situation can be observed in the regions. Thus, tuition fees for specialty "psychology" in Dnipropetrovsk National University increased by UAH 1400 (14%); for specialty "journalism" by UAH 1800 (22%); for specialty "political science" by UAH 1700 (22%).
The Deputy Chairman regretted that particular higher education establishments infringe upon the entrants´ rights for affordability of higher education, raising the tuition fees for the academic year 2011/2012 for more than the inflation rate (9,1% for 2010).
To protect the students´ rights and in conformity with clause 16 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Status of the People´s Deputy of Ukraine", the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine requested Prosecutor General V.P.Pshonka to verify whether increase of tuition fees in the said higher education establishments is legitimate and economically justified, and to take action in line with the effective laws on criminal procedure.