Moldova: Free College or Work in Assigned Field?
The Rectors' Council of Moldova is urging the government to revoke a policy that compels students financed by the state budget to repay the cost of their education if they fail to secure employment in their field of specialisation, as mandated by distribution assignments.
Council President Emil Ceban argues that this policy discourages students from pursuing higher education.
"It is beneficial for students to pursue higher education," Ceban said. "However, if we force them to repay the costs upfront, it discourages them from enrolling in the first place. This clashes with core educational principles, where higher education is considered essential."
At a meeting with university rectors, Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun indicated that changes are forthcoming. Under the revised policy, students would only be obligated to repay the allowance granted upon graduation if they refuse employment in their field. For instance, a pedagogy graduate who opts not to work in the education sector would be required to return the graduation allowance of 200,000 lei, but not the tuition fees.
"The general consensus is to remove the mandatory repayment clause for educational expenses in the revised policy," Perciun explained. "Both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health have concurred. We are awaiting a final ruling, but the obligation to repay will likely be restricted to graduation allowances, not the entire cost of education."
Perciun also mentioned that discussions concerning the integration of colleges into universities would be held with representatives of the Rectors' Council.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
