Shtip, 23 August 2024 (MIA) - This year students will receive a higher sum for their subsidized student meals, the Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said on Friday in Shtip, adding that they plan to increase the sum for subsidized student meals, although the correct sum is still unknown, because it all depends on the funds available from the Budget.

"In regards to the student standard, students should know that the Ministry is their constant cooperator, partner and biggest supporter, so therefore- yes, we are thinking about increasing the sum of subsidized student meals. There is an ongoing project for renovating student housing with the aim of improving living and studying conditions, it is also a fact that capacity has reduced, but we are trying to solve that issue by allocating some students to the functional student housing and making sure that a large number of them will have access to housing so that they can also live in the cities they are studying," Janevska said.

In response to a question whether the Ministry of Education and Science will pay the 8-million-euro debt to the Public Transport Enterprise (JSP) for free public student transportation, the Minister responded that the invoices had arrived, but there are no legal basis on which the Ministry would pay.

"There are no legal basis on which the Ministry will pay can pay off the debt. There is no agreement, deal, or government decision. Therefore, I'll reiterate, even if I want to I can’t, and I want students to have free public transportation next year. We can allocate funds for free public student transportation. However, this issue must be handled differently. As a minister I believe that the court must decide, whatever decision they make we will respect it," Janevska noted.

She added that next year the Ministry of Education and Science and Government plan to allocate funds for free public transportation for students. ssh/ba/

Photo: MIA