The Ministry of Education has launched the "First student in the family" programme for public debate

RADIO ROMANIA NEWS - The Ministry of Education has launched a public debate on the "First student in the family" programme, which aims to facilitate access to higher education for disadvantaged groups of students, such as those from rural areas. The initiators argue that without such support measures, there will be an increased danger that students from vulnerable backgrounds will abandon the idea of enrolling in university education or drop out. This week, interested institutions and organisations can submit proposals or comments.

RRA correspondent Amalia Bojescu explains: "The existence of a university graduate in the family brings a number of benefits for the family, namely an increase in quality of life, social involvement and income compared to students who fail to continue their studies at a university, say the initiators. The "First student in the family" programme provides that students will be able to benefit from measures dedicated to increasing access to higher education, including increased social or merit scholarships, and will be supported as early as the 11th grade to make the transition to university studies. Measures are also foreseen to combat the reduction of dropout among students from families with a low level of education, and to facilitate access to higher education institutions, measures are foreseen for the purchase of IT equipment and the development of specific tools for educational processes that include students with disabilities. The "First Student in the Family" programme will be implemented in the form of a competitive call, in which eligible applicants are state higher education institutions and state pre-university educational establishments. Proposals must be submitted by 16 January, with a budget of over €50 million."

Translated by: Radu Matei