Author: Ina Allkanjari
A year ago, the Albanian government made a big promise to all students who would choose to study in one of the priority branches in public higher education, offering monthly scholarships of 40,000 ALL. This promise, however, did not materialize as promised, leaving many students disappointed and demotivated.
The VKM of June 2023 removed the average criterion by offering financial support in the form of a scholarship to all students who would choose one of the branches in the Faculty of History-Geography, Engineering and Agriculture, but the students were deceived. In October of the year we left behind, the reality showed the opposite, many students were left without the promised financial support.
Uvejs Dervishi, a student in the Chemistry branch at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, one of the young people who chose the priority branches, writes for Sinjalizo about his bitter experience on this matter.
Uvejsi, with his passion for Chemistry, says that he chose to follow this branch without considering the scholarship, despite the government's promise.
" When I entered university, I was happy with my friends who had chosen priority branches. We were five students in the Chemistry branch and we thought we would all benefit from the scholarship ," says Uvesji, who just completed his first year of Bachelor's studies.
However, as soon as the 2023-2024 academic year began, the situation for the 18-year-old and for many other students studying in one of the priority branches became very confusing and unclear, as it was not yet known if the average condition would be set.
"There was chaos, disappointment, and boredom. Some students even thought about quitting their studies if they didn't receive the promised scholarship. But there are only 5 of us studying chemistry, and this would mean the closure of the department. I had decided that if something like that happened, I would switch to Industrial Chemistry, because I couldn't teach alone ," says Uvejsi.
It took about two months from the start of the academic year for students to be notified of scholarship applications, but the process was slow and unclear.
" At the beginning of December we were notified
that scholarship applications will start on the 18th and I was happy because since I didn't know the procedures I thought that on this date the names of the scholarship beneficiaries would be released. When we went to the university on the 18th, we simply put our name, branch and signed, that's all they asked us for. We didn't get anything for sure, it was just a registration so that they could understand how many students we were interested in , "says Uvejsi.
After a long wait, it was only in February that it became known who would benefit from the scholarship. Of the five students in the Chemistry major, only three benefited, including Uvejs. He says that he received the first payment in April, which included the months in arrears.
One of the most concerning aspects for Uways was the way the recipients were selected. “ A classmate didn’t get the scholarship initially, even though she had a higher average than the other two recipients ,” he says.
“ One of the beneficiaries was 41 years old and the other was 32 years old, while my friend was our age and in greater need of economic support .”
The problem does not end there. Uvejsi worries that next year there may be problems with the stock market again, as according to him the contract mentions a clause that says that Barchelor's first year average will also be seen.
" We don't know the limit, and they could set a high average to penalize us ," he says, adding uncertainty about his future and that of others in the priority branches.
Reduction of scholarships and financial delays
The promises made by the government for scholarships dedicated to students who chose priority branches, turned into disappointment for many of them. Rigels Xhemollai, head of the Civic Center, tells Sinjalizo about the problems that accompanied the funding process for students who chose the priority branches, stressing that the government's initial promise has been significantly reduced and has been implemented with significant delays.
"There have been delays and cutbacks," says Rigelsi. "The students did not all benefit from the scholarship, as quotas were set. Public universities were asked to select about five students for each major who would benefit from these scholarships, based on average and market needs."
This disparity in the distribution of scholarships created disappointment and frustration for many students who chose the priority branches but were not included in the list of beneficiaries. The situation was further aggravated by late payments.
"The priority scholarships were delayed by about five months during the academic year," says Rigelsi. "None of the students received their payment on time. The reasons were various, such as completing documentation, lists and quotes."
These delays created great hardship for students who needed these funds to cover the costs of university life, such as rent and food. For many students, the scholarship was an opportunity to pursue their studies without the financial burden.
"We have had communications with many students who experienced this problem. The scholarship would be worth a lot for their university life, but while the university months passed, they didn't get any money," says Rigelsi while emphasizing that the change in criteria disappointed all those students who chose the priority branches and did not benefit from the scholarship.
The need for transparency and planning
The education expert, Ndriçim Mehmeti, tells Sinjalizo that the problems regarding the ambiguity of the decision on the scholarships dedicated to students who chose the priority branches started from the initial instruction, which had great deficiencies and ambiguities.
“ There should have been an instruction to guide students on how they would receive the scholarship ,” says Mehmeti. “ Were the structures prepared for this decision? How is it possible that students have to wait until May of the school year to receive the scholarship money ?” says the education expert, emphasizing that this delay has made university life more difficult for many students, creating an unexpected financial burden for their families.
Families sent their children to university in the hope that they would be financially supported by the state. But when the scholarships did not arrive on time, many students became discouraged. “ Even if everything works out perfectly in the new academic year, people have lost faith. This year’s students who are left behind will say that they chose priority branches and did not receive the promised scholarship ,” says Mehmeti.
According to the expert, the establishment of quotas and the selection of students for scholarships was done based on averages and market needs, creating inequality and leaving many students disappointed. “ Why should you take away the scholarship from a student who has earned it on merit? What is the benefit of taking away this support ?” he asks, underlining that this policy has discouraged prospective students from choosing priority branches.
Mehmeti emphasizes that scholarships should be a real and reliable support for students, and that every decision should be based on a well-planned and stable budget.
" The state itself is providing the scholarship to increase capacities in a field that it considers a priority, why don't you accompany it with the appropriate money ? If you don't have a budget, why make the promise ? This lack of planning and transparency has created confusion and uncertainty among students. A clear guideline with well-defined criteria should be issued, so that the student is clear before making the choice for higher education ," suggests the education expert.
Fund and beneficiaries
Asked how many of the students who chose one of the priority branches for the academic year 2023-2024 received a scholarship, the Ministry of Education and Sports says, among other things, that in this academic year funding from the State Budget for the financial support of excellent students has been doubled and students studying in a priority program.
" This fund has been made available for a total of 310 quotas, of which: 100 quotas for excellent students and 210 for students studying in priority programs, " the MASR response states.
According to the data provided, at the Agricultural University and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, 2023 students are registered for the academic year 2024-78 in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology at the Agricultural University and the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
While at the Agricultural University, there are 555 students enrolled in priority branches.
In her speech in the Assembly on June 27, the Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu, stopped at the support with the payment of the minimum salary for students of priority branches, emphasizing the annual fund determined to support these students.
" According to the approved annual budget, the budget foreseen for priority scholarships is around 1.5 million euros. I don't think you think it's a little to support with 1.5 million euros per year and in a cumulative 5-year period over 6 million euros go to support priority quotas plus zero fees," said the minister.
Propaganda with the scholarships
On June 29, 2023, after a government meeting, Evis Kushi announced an important change in scholarship policy, the removal of the average criterion for all students who will choose to pursue higher education in one of the priority branches, provided that after graduation to work for three years in Albania.
" We have decided to remove the 8.5 GPA criterion for all those who receive scholarships, following these study programs ," she said.
This promise was enthusiastically received by many students who saw an opportunity to pursue their studies without the financial burden that often accompanies higher education. In addition, the requirement to maintain the average during studies was also removed, thus providing considerable relief to those who felt the pressure of high grades. However, the initial enthusiasm quickly faded. In October 2023, many students expressed concern that they had been cheated. Despite the promises, only students with a high average and within the budget quotas of the Ministry of Education benefited from the scholarship.
Lack of transparency and planning has created confusion and uncertainty among students who chose priority branches. To restore confidence, the government must provide clear guidelines and provide sustainable financial support to students.
This article was created based on input provided by individuals who have chosen to speak up. Share your story, empower others and be an agent for change. Visit the website: www.acqj.al/sinjalizo-dhe-ti/
