Egypt’s cabinet approved, on Wednesday, amendments to the universities organisation law, with the amendments imposing new fees on students taking re-sit exams. The fees will come into affect from the start of the 2021/2022 academic year.
The draft law stipulates that the Supreme Council of Universities will review and determine the value of the fee on an annual basis, taking into account the number of times the student fails.
The fees will be collected at the beginning of the academic year, and will be allocated to improving the educational services at the university where the re-sit occurs.
Following the Supreme Council of Universities’ approval, and taking into account input from the relevant college council, the university president may grant a partial or full exemption from the stipulated fee. This will be considered for students who are unable to pay the fee, in accordance with the controls and requirements set by the Supreme Council of Universities in this regard.
The draft law stipulates that the fees will not be imposed on students enrolled at university branches abroad, or who are taking part in special study programmes with fees.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said that the state is committed to providing free education services at all universities and institutes in accordance with Egypt’s constitution.
“The right to free education should not harm the public interest, as the state’s continued bearing of the costs of educating students who failed will inevitably lead to limiting the opportunities available to diligent students,” the minister said, “If these students want to pursue studying, they must bear part of the actual cost the state incurs due to repeating grades.”
The amendments have set minimum and maximum limits for the new fees, suggesting each university board sets the exact sum annually in accordance with the number of repetitions.
According to the bill, the fees will range from: EGP 6,000 to EGP 12,000 for students at the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry; EGP 5,000 to EGP 10,000 for students of the Faculties of Engineering, Information Technology, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy; EGP 4,000 to 6,000 for the students of the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Science and Nursing; and EGP 3,000 to EGP 6,000 for students of other faculties and institutes.
