Don't hike university tuitions, education minister implores

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Don't hike university tuitions, education minister implores

Published: 08 Feb. 2023, 16:35 Updated: 03 Mar. 2023, 18:23

Members of a civic group representing college students denounce universities for planning a tuition hike during a press conference held last Friday in front of the Korean Association of Private University Presidents in Yeouido, western Seoul. [YONHAP]

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho on Wednesday expressed regret that some universities have raised their tuitions, pleading with others to keep in line with the government’s freeze policy.

Lee, who doubles as the deputy prime minister, said it was the government’s basic position to maintain college tuition fees at current levels amid high interest rates and consumer prices.

The education chief thanked universities that decided not to raise their tuition this year and urged schools that were discussing a hike to reconsider.

Lee’s comments came as the Education Ministry announced this year’s government scholarships on Wednesday, a total of nearly 4.4 trillion won ($3.5 billion), down about 90 billion won compared to last year, which the ministry said was due to a declining student population.

As in the past 11 years, the ministry said it wouldn’t allow universities that raised their tuition this year to receive funding in certain scholarship categories.

Tuition fees at Korean universities have largely remained the same for over a decade, even as schools often complained about financial challenges and shrinking revenues.

Dong-A University in Busan broke the trend by raising its tuition for undergraduates by 3.95 percent this year, a move that was quickly followed by six out of 11 nationwide education universities.

Chinju National University of Education increased its tuition by 4.04 percent, while Chuncheon National University of Education and Cheongju National University of Education raised theirs by 4.02 percent. Gyeongin, Jeonju and Gwangju national universities of education raised theirs by 4 percent.

Dong-A University President Lee Hae-woo was quoted by the JoongAng Ilbo as saying that his school received nearly 2 billion won from the government last year for scholarships, but that this year’s tuition hike was expected to bring in more than double that amount — 5 billion won.

Even without scholarships from the government, Lee said he would try to fill the void by funneling money from the university’s development fund, which is usually sponsored by donations.

In a recent survey participated in by 114 university presidents across the country, 56 heads, or 49.2 percent, said they were planning a tuition hike this year or next. Eleven universities said a hike was planned for this year. Five universities said they were planning a hike two years later, while 14 replied they would follow cues from the government.

When asked how they were planning to spend the additional tuition revenues, 52 universities, or 45.6 percent of those who answered, replied they would use it on hiring new faculty members and improving their salaries, while 42 universities, or 36.8 percent, said they would use it on campus renovations and teaching supplies.

By law, universities can increase their tuition by up to 1.5 times the average three-year inflation, which brings this year’s cap to 4.05 percent. Next year’s cap is estimated to be 5.54 percent.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]