The National Council of Students criticizes the reduction of scholarships: “a dangerous and unfair decision”

The national council of the students criticized the decision announced by the Minister of Education Daniel David regarding the reorganization of the scholarship system for students and students. Students claim that the Romanian state gives up an effective tool to combat school dropout.

The National Council of Students advocates to maintain the provisions related to scholarships of the Pre -university Education Law no. 198/2023, by which minimum amounts related to the gross minimum wage were established.

“The budget allocated to the scholarships increased exponentially: from about 540 million lei in 2021, to over 1.3 billion in 2023, then 4.9 billion in 2024, with an estimate of 6.4 billion for 2025. This increase within four years demonstrates that the Romanian state recognizes the efficiency of the scholarships: they reduce the school, and it generates systemic results, Better ”, it is stated in a statement of the Council.

Decrease the value of the scholarships

Student representatives claim that the proposal made by the minister not only will reduce the number of types of scholarships, but will reduce them as value.

“The proposal to report the scholarships to the minimum net salary and not grossly hides a real decrease in the support given to the students. This adjustment would have the direct effect to decrease the value of the scholarships, despite the possible official increases of the minimum wage. At a time when the costs related to education are increasing constant, fed and the high level of the media, such as the high level of inflation. disadvantaged ”, says the quoted source.

The Council recalls that there are national studies that have shown that scholarships have an impact on school performance, especially in the case of students from disadvantaged environments and who, in the future, risk no longer having access to education.

“The National Council of Students requests the maintenance of all types of scholarships in the current form (…) Romania further faces an alarming rate of school dropout, with accentuated inequalities between the urban and rural environment, with a considerable percentage of socially and economic vulnerable children. A dangerous, unfair and contrary decision to the interest of the main beneficiaries of education ”, said in the statement.

The announcement of the Minister of Education has dissatisfied the student associations so that the Student Union of Romania (USR), the National Alliance of Student Organizations of Romania (ANOSR) and the National Student Union of Romania (UNSR), announces a protest on Thursday, in front of the Government, starting at 10:00, compared to the Minister of Education.

“Announcement of maximum importance for students. Students go out, tomorrow, 26.06.2025 in Bucharest, in front of the Government of Romania and in all the university centers at 10:00: do not touch the scholarships!”, Is the message transmitted by the organizers, on the groups of the student associations.

How to change school scholarships

On Wednesday, Education Minister Daniel David announced that the school scholarship system is to be reorganized. The new proposed formula involves retaining only two categories of scholarships:

• Social scholarships, intended for students from vulnerable environments, will continue to include the support given to minor mothers. These scholarships will be managed by the local social assistance authorities, based on a methodology initiated by the ministry.
• The merit scholarships will be awarded to students with averages of at least 9 (currently 9.50), within 15% of the total students in a class (currently a 30% limit). After the reorganization of the Olympics and competitions, the winners' prizes will be increased.

Thus, four types of scholarships will be cut – those for the Olympics (I and II), the technological ones, and those for minor mothers will be included in the social scholarships.