National Youth Council calls for compensatory measures for students: subsidies, vouchers, free accommodation
On International Students' Day, youth in the Republic of Moldova are advocating for higher scholarships and more opportunities. On November 17, the National Youth Council of Moldova (CNTM) launched a petition urging the government to either raise scholarships to the subsistence level or implement equitable support measures for students.
The main argument presented is that, on average, a student receives less than 40% of the income deemed minimally necessary for survival. To date, the petition advocating for this issue has garnered 125 signatures.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the minimum subsistence basket at the national level is approximately 3,000 lei per month. In larger cities, this amount exceeds 3,300 lei per month, and most young people study in these urban areas, as stated by Tudor Arnăut, the Secretary General of the Council.
Arnăut indicates that student scholarships typically range between 1,015 and 1,295 lei per month. This discrepancy creates not only a financial shortfall but also a structural inequity that negatively impacts academic performance, mental health, and equal access to education.
"Students are left to survive on only 30 to 40% of the total minimum subsistence basket. As a result, they face two options: either rely on parental support for finances and food to focus on their studies, or seek a part-time job, which can reduce their academic involvement. This situation diminishes their ability to engage in volunteer work or participate in initiatives that help develop essential skills," explains the Secretary General of the National Youth Council.
Arnăut further emphasizes that education cannot be of high quality if young people are perpetually battling for survival rather than pursuing personal and academic development. He highlights that there are alternative solutions to support students.
"Recently, CNTM launched a public petition calling for the equalization of student scholarships with the minimum subsistence basket. Recognising that public budgets are not limitless, we seek to identify alternative incentives that could help alleviate the financial burdens on young people. For instance, students with scholarships could be exempted from dormitory fees, or offered subsidies for housing and meal vouchers to use in university canteens. In other countries, there are also student loans available at 0% interest, allowing students to pay back the borrowed amount once they secure employment," Arnăut stated.
Furthermore, on October 27, CNTM submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Education and Research (MEC), requesting that scholarships be aligned with the minimum subsistence basket or that alternative support mechanisms be identified. As of now, they have not received any official response.
In a statement to Teleradio-Moldova, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Research indicated that they would provide a comment on this matter at a later date.
In a message marking International Student Day, the MEC stated that students are a priority for the government. This year, the ministry began reforming the student self-government system to enhance student participation in university decision-making.
"Additionally, for the first time, the ministry launched a national student project competition, allowing six public higher education institutions to receive funding of up to 350,000 lei each. Over 50 student-led activities this academic year have promoted civic participation, creativity, and community involvement. Significant investments are being made in the infrastructure of educational institutions, academic programs are being modernized, and new study programs are being developed to facilitate the future employment of graduates. Last year, approximately 2 million euros were invested in Moldovan universities to enhance educational quality and create conditions that enable students to study in environments comparable to those in European universities," the MEC's message concluded.
Currently, there are about 56,900 undergraduate students and 11,800 master's students in higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova.
