Yerevan hosts picket against increase of tuition fees in universities

On August 9, a protest action was held at the building of the Armenian government against the decision of the authorities to raise tuition fees in universities.

The action was attended by about 40-50 people: students and activists of the newly-formed Facebook movement against the above government's decision.

Vahan Minasyan, one of the activists, told reporters that he and his colleagues intend to continue fighting for the return of the previous tuition fees in universities.

The participants of the action held posters that read "No to rip-off!" Karine Arutyunyan, the Deputy Minister of Education and Sciences, went out to them and promised to receive protesters on Monday, August 12.

The issue of possible reduction of tuition fees will be decided on the basis of the government's methodology of pricing the higher education, said the Deputy Minister.

Let us note here that in July 2013, after the increase of tariffs for gas and electricity, the Minister of Education and Sciences informed about the new government's decision, according to which in five universities, including the Yerevan State University, the tuition fees were increased by 100,000 drams, or about 250 US dollars.