YEREVAN. – Five Armenian universities have raised student tuition fees, member of Armenia’s Public Council said.

Hripsime Margaryan, chairman of Council’s subcommittee on youth affairs, noted that tuition fees were increased by AMD 100-150 thousand at Armenian State University of Economics and by 200 thousand at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. The Yerevan State University has increased tuition fees by AMD 20-200 thousand, too.

“Meanwhile, Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction increased tuition fees by 15 percent. This data is in contrast with the remarks made by Education Minister who claims the rise in price will make 20-100 thousand,” Hripsime Margaryan said.

Referring to the means of struggle against the increase of tuition fees, she noted that it is planned to organize a meeting with the heads of universities’ student councils.

“The subcommittee on youth affairs will present a package of further actions in 1-2 weeks,” she added.

Activist Ruben Alanakyan is confident that Armenia has not registered improvements in education sector. 

“We should not think about raising fees, but about the effective use of funds,” he said, adding that student protest movement is an acceptable way of struggle against rise in tuition fees.