Nicosia, Cyprus. Members of the House education committee voiced strong reactions to a government bill revising student grants, criticising the level of financial support and questioning whether presidential commitments are being met.
Bill details and fiscal constraints
The proposal was presented by finance ministry permanent secretary Andreas Zachariades and is expected to cost €10.5 million. It aims to expand eligibility by adjusting income criteria.
Zachariades said the measures “are what we can provide at this time”, citing fiscal constraints.
MPs raise concerns over adequacy of increases
Several MPs said that while expanding the number of beneficiaries is a positive step, the increases fall short of expectations.
Disy’s Prodromos Alampritis called the changes “a step forward, but it is not enough”, and said more support is needed for middle-income families and households with multiple children in higher education.
Criticism over previously outlined €14 million increase
Akel MP Christos Christofides criticised the bill more sharply, saying, “we cannot announce specific things and then say ‘sorry, mistake’”, and urged the government to deliver the €14 million increase in student support previously outlined by the president.
He said the effective rise amounts to “three euros per week” and argued that it does little to address rising living costs or the declining purchasing value of student aid.
Calls to link support to inflation and concerns about fewer beneficiaries
Pavlos Kalosynatos, representing Peo, proposed linking the allowance to the consumer price index, saying inflation has eroded support in recent years.
He also said the number of beneficiaries has fallen as incomes have risen, disproportionately affecting lower-income groups.
Family organisations’ response
Representatives of family organisations welcomed the removal of income criteria for households with five or more children, but said the base allowance remains too low.
Do you think the revised student grant measures provide sufficient support for students and their families?
