Signature activities such as tuition reduction and exemption 160 New Corona spread throughout the university April 29, 20:12
According to a NHK survey, the signing activities for more than 160 universities nationwide are demanding that university students, who have been economically driven by the loss of part-time job due to the spread of new coronavirus, are required to reduce tuition fees. The university is making efforts to independently provide benefits, but the expert said, `` If this situation continues, there will be many young people who will be robbed of the future due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and further expansion of support by the national and local governments. Should be done. "
The spread of the new coronavirus infection has seriously affected the lives of university students who have spent part-time income on living expenses and school expenses, and a questionnaire conducted by a student group this month with 1200 students 20% of all respondents are considering to leave school.
Under such circumstances, signing activities on the Internet are spreading among university students seeking tuition fee exemption and subsidies accompanying the introduction of online lessons, and as of the 29th, there are signing activities at more than 160 universities nationwide. I learned from NHK's research.
A fourth-year university student in Saitama, who is engaged in signature activities, said, "My mother and child family have covered their tuition and living expenses with scholarships and part-time jobs, but they may not be able to afford the latter term tuition. I think some people will quit, so I have to raise my voice. "
Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has called for the use of the “study support system” that provides scholarships of benefit type, and also asks the university to consider the extension of tuition payment deadlines and exemptions. I will.
On the other hand, there are movements to support students by providing their own benefits, but in private universities, nearly 80% of the total income is paid by students such as tuition fees, It is said that many universities are reluctant to reduce or exempt the university as it imposes pressure on university management.
Masayuki Kobayashi, a professor at Oberin University who is familiar with the issue of university tuition, said, “The public expenditure on higher education in Japan is low internationally, and middle-class students who are not covered by the national support are in a difficult situation. If this situation continues, young people may be deprived of the future due to the effects of the new coronavirus, and instead of leaving it to the university, the support from the national and local governments should be further expanded. "