The Minister of Education, Daniel David, reacted to the student protests against the reduction of the scholarships, recognizing that they understand their dissatisfaction. He assured that the scholarships will remain higher than in 2023.
Photo: Mediafax
The Minister of Education, Daniel David, said on Thursday that he understands the protests of the students who criticize the changes proposed to the scholarship system. He said that if they were in their place, they would do the same.
“If I were in their place, I would protest. As I am convinced that a rational and decent student, if they were in my place, would do what I do ”, Daniel David said according to News.ro.
Scholarships have grown but the pressure on the budget is high
The minister explained that the scholarship system has registered significant increases in recent years. According to him, if in 2022 the funds for scholarships were very small, in 2023 and 2024 there were significant increases due to the new law of education.
“Romania has become one of the countries that offer the strongest scholarship system in the public system. Both in the pre -university and university area“, Said the minister.
He stressed, however, that such growth involves major pressure on the budget, especially in the current context. “Under normal conditions, not in the economic-financial crisis, it is difficult for the country to cover such a large budget. I am glad that we are trying to cover it, but we must recognize, at the same time, that it is a pressure on the budget“Explained Daniel David.
Planned discounts but above the level of 2023
The minister admitted that, following adjustments, the scholarship fund could decrease in 2025 compared to 2024. However, he said that the current proposal includes 10% increase compared to 2023.
“If we refer not to the gross minimum wage, but to the net minimum wage, we will have a decrease in the scholarship fund, as the students said. (…) The reduction compared to 2024 is real, but we have an increase of 10% compared to 2023 – the year in which the Law of Education came into force ”said the minister.
David emphasized the importance of social scholarships, especially for the prevention of school dropout, and said that they will be protected. In contrast, the criteria for merit scholarships will be reformulated.
“If I want to defend something, they are social scholarships. (…) The current proposal is for the merit scholarships to be granted for 15% of the students of a class. If more have the new note, secondary separation criteria will be applied“He explained.
A message for teachers too
The minister said that changes are not comfortable for teachers, but they are needed. “And I would be unhappy to change the number of hours in the norm. After I got used to a certain practice, it is not comfortable to make such a change. But I am convinced that any union leader, if they were in my place, would do the same. We don’t do what we like, we do what we need to do“, Concluded Daniel David.
