Vesna Janevska: Ministry will analyse possibility to raise subsidised student meal

The Ministry of Education and Science will carry out an analysis to determine whether the amount of the subsidized student meal can be increased, Minister Vesna Janevska said after student organisations announced they would submit a request to the ministry. The current subsidy for a student meal stands at 140 denars.

Students' proposals to be reviewed

Janevska made the remarks during a visit to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering on the occasion of European Researchers' Night. "We will carefully review the students' initiatives as before, and we will respond within our means. An analysis needs to be carried out and then we will respond to the students and publicly," she said.

Student groups have signalled they will formally deliver an initiative asking for an increase in the subsidised meal amount. The minister said the ministry will consider those proposals but any decision will depend on the results of the internal analysis and available budgetary resources.

Asked whether the ministry could also provide subsidies for intercity transport for students who commute daily because of higher ticket prices, Janevska said that initiative, once submitted to the ministry, will likewise be examined and answered within budgetary possibilities.

Janevska did not give a specific timetable for the analysis or for when a response might be published, only repeating that the ministry will reply publicly once it has completed its review.

Photo: MIA