Press statement by the government Spokesperson, also State Minister for Relations with Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, on recent delays in disbursement of funding for students in certain universities:

Greetings everyone!

The Prime Minister and we all are concerned over the delays in disbursement of the funding for students according to the Council of Ministers’ decisions.

Taking notice of the concerns raised by students via the Co-Governance Platform, as well as after reviewing thousands of text messages recently forwarded by students via Whats App, it turns out there is cacophony regarding the information that students receive in universities and, on the other hand, unnecessary delays caused by faculty secretariats.

The secretariats have not filled the required paperwork for students on state benefit, who, pursuant to the government decision are entitled to full reimbursement of tuition fees as well as a scholarship of ALL 10 000 lek per each student.

The students with grade point average 9-10 during last year are entitled to full reimbursement of the tuition fee and scholarship worth ALL 10 000 a month, as well as other student categories that qualify for reduction of fees as stipulated by the Council of Ministers’ decision.

Likewise, there is also cacophony regarding the municipalities, as in many cases the faculty secretariats misguide students about the procedures, telling them instead to address to the local government authorities who have nothing to do with this process.

There is no reason for students to worry!

The tuition fees will be paid en bloc for all students, while the scholarship disbursement will be provided for every student in accordance with well-established criteria.

The absurd occupation of few faculties has halted the process and has blocked students who should have benefited scholarship and tuition fee disbursement on January 31.

This is the ugliest consequence of the political interference in the protest, depriving them of their right.

With regards to the concerns voiced by the high-achieving students, who have applied for jobs in the public administration, but have not obtained information from the university secretariats;

We have announced 800 vacancies in the public administration. Only half of students with 9-10 GPA have received the paperwork.

I stand here today to tell students not to worry because the application deadline for puneembare.al will be postponed, and it will apply to them as well.

We reiterate the appeal to the Rector to fulfill his duties and guarantee the student’s right to attend lectures and receive information in time.

We assure the students that we stand by their side and will overcome the last hurdle together.

Thank you!