Nicosia, Cyprus. Parliament on Thursday passed a bill abolishing the social support body that provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students and transferring its operations and assets to the State Scholarships Foundation.
Bill passed with cross-party sponsorship
The bill was co-sponsored by Akel MP Stefanos Stefanou, Disy’s Kyriacos Hadjiyianni and Volt MP Alexandra Attalidou. The sponsors told the House that the transfer is intended to continue student support in a transparent manner while avoiding administrative duplication. The bill repeals the law establishing the social support body or fund.
Government bills rejected
Earlier in the same plenary session, MPs voted down two government bills related to the fund. One proposed scrapping the fund and transferring its assets and responsibilities to the state treasury. The other proposed establishing a special donations account at the Central Bank under the care of the state treasurer.
Concerns raised over donations oversight
Independent MP Irini Charalambidou criticised the government bills, saying they would have placed the state treasurer, a public official, in charge of private donations. She also said there was no provision to check the donations and any ties between donors and the state.
Reference to ‘Videogate’
Attalidou said questions remain over the social support body following the ‘Videogate’ affair that emerged in early January.
What do you think should be the key safeguards for managing private donations linked to student support?