Increase in education costs trouble citizens

Back in the State House, PM S.Batbold discusses tuition increases with Education Minister Yo. Otgonbayar

When the PM worked in the countryside, people’s interest in educational fees and payments were the key issue which most found disturbing.
On August 19, the Cabinet discussed implementation of the PM’s working plan in the countryside and produced a definite decision on the issue. For example, it was decided to complete the tuition fee in the first half of the 2010-2011 academic year; September 1 to December 31 The payment taken as a loan from the state academic fund will be resolved during this period. Yo.Otgonbayar, the Minister of education, science and culture was instructed to implement this task in due time and
without delay. Yo. Otgonbayar and S.Bayartsogt, Finance Minister were instructed to find ways to adjust the required part of the tuition fees from the Human development Fund of next year’s budget. The price increase on stationeries and textbooks was another question related to tuition fees. The PM criticized the groundless increase of the price on school stationery and textbooks by business people, although the currency exchange was low.

He instructed Yo.Otbonbayar to take the question under his control. PM S.Batbold reminded them not to let the tuition fees of higher educational establishments to exceed the average inflation rate and that this principle must be strictly followed in State-owned universities and institutes. He asked them to fulfill his instructions without causing problems for the citizens. Another question raised to the PM during his countryside trip was the employment issue. The training and preparing of 3,200 Mongolians at the vocational education and production centers to be employed at the Oyutolgoi deposit was instructed. Yo.Otgonbayar, Minister of education, science and culture said that in accordance with the government decision to make the payment for September–December, the ministry sent statements to relevant educational establishments. He said the ministry is working hard because almost 100,000 students have been registered to study in the higher educational establishments. “Not all higher educational establishments sent reports on their tuition fees”, said Otgonbayar. He promised not to let the tuition fees to exceed the average inflation level and find explanations if there are such price increases. “The school textbooks”, said the minister, “will be sold at last year’s price.” The minister said that he will report back when the 3,200 workforce, to be employed at the Oyutolgoi deposit, will be trained at the vocational training and educational centers, and that human factors, the dedication to work, and professional quality will be taken under consideration. In other words, the workforce will be tested and the mining branch of the national council for vocational education and production is organizing for employment of the trained national personnel to work in other companies. The training of the workforce will be implemented by a definite quota provided from the aimag regions and the city districts. The PM S.Batbold requested that people are provided with the right information and organize all this work in an open and transparent way.
source: The Mongol Messenger newspaper