52 universities reducing tuition fees

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52 universities reducing tuition fees

By The Nation

 

File Photo

 

Fifty-two universities are reducing tuition fees to help students amid the Covid-19 crisis, said Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Suwit Mesinsee.

 

With the pandemic affecting the economy and even students indirectly, the ministry had sought cooperation from higher education institutions to help students and reduce the financial burden on their parents and guardians, who are suffering from an economic slowdown, by having universities consider lower education fees, which are being collected from students in the upcoming semester or the first academic year of 2020.

 

So far, 52 universities are reducing enrollment fees, extending tuition payment terms and lowering or returning service fees. Some have also established a student aid fund.

 

Thammasat University, for example, has agreed to extend the grace period for payment of tuition fees until the end of the academic year, or August 9, including establishing a fund and supporting 5,000 scholarships totalling Bt15 million.

 

Chulalongkorn University is refunding dormitory fees.

 

Kasetsart University is extending the payment period and installments while allocating work grants and grants to undergraduate students.

And Khon Kaen University has established an assistance fund.

 

“Many universities have tried to adapt to the situation and issue various measures to help students, teachers, university personnel and the general public. Tuition fee reduction guidelines will be issued soon,” Suwit added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30385968

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-14

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[eeworldwide]

I wonder if international schools will now follow suit??

[rasmus5150]

1 hour ago, eeworldwide said:

I wonder if international schools will now follow suit??

They will charge extra because they have to buy more equipment for on-line classes.

 

 

[AgMech Cowboy]

22 hours ago, rasmus5150 said:

They will charge extra because they have to buy more equipment for on-line classes.

Having just finished 14 yrs of International school experiences, I may have to agree with you. It'll depend on the success, reputation and age of the school.  I'd bet ISB and RIS will go up.

[Krataiboy]

The pandemic is demonstrating just how out-of-date the education system really is. Let's seize the opportunity replace our overpriced, under-performing schools and universities with online learning.

 

Not just parents, but governments would save a fortune if education could be dragged screaming into the digital age. The benefits to the environment, in terms of reducing the Education Ministry's huge carbon footprint, are incalculable.

 

The present crisis and the exponential growth of computer-based learning indicates this is far from mission impossible. My elder daughter, for example, is currently enjoying being tutored online for her psychology degree as her university is closed due to the pandemic scare. 

 

Her younger sister learned English not from her mostly incompetent schoolteachers, but largely from Internet lessons downloaded to her smartphone. During the present school haitus, she is using the gizmo in the same way, to keep up to speed with other subjects.

 

Thousands of people already study at home for degrees, using Open University and other online courses. So let's go the whole hog.

 

Many teachers currently serving out time in boring state schools posts would welcome the challenge of becoming self-employed tutors. And healthy competition would hold down fees while keeping standards high.

 

Why not?

 

 

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Krataiboy said:

Thousands of people already study at home for degrees, using Open University and other online courses.

Mostly considered worthless by employers and everyone else.

[Krataiboy]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Mostly considered worthless by employers and everyone else.

They can't be as worthless as the bits of confetti tossed around by Thai universities, whether state or private.

 

If you are right about the poor employer perception of online degrees, this is best addressed by increasing the competition hugely - which is what would happen if all education went digital.