Everyone is a winner, the Government Spokesperson András Giró-Szász said on Wednesday on Hungarian m1 television's evening debate program Az Este.

The Government’s decision on Wednesday answers the concerns of students, he stated, and fulfils the goals announced one and a half years ago by enabling students to finish university in higher numbers, and complete a better quality education with better chances of finding a job.

The Spokesperson added that the Government understands the students' concerns, which stem from a misunderstanding about the system of student loans. It is in the state’s interest, he emphasised, that everyone who gets into higher education should complete their course within a certain period and enter the employment market with a competitive degree.

According to the Government’s decision, the number of state-financed places at colleges and universities in autumn 2013 cannot be less than 55,000, and with this the possibility of entering higher education has been widened, as this number is only the baseline. Government Spokesperson Giró-Szász added that the exact number of state-financed places for each university course will be determined by the Ministry of Human Resources.

Regarding the funding of the system, the Spokesperson highlighted that it is a misconception that the state will reduce the financing of higher education, as in 2013 it will receive an extra 24 billion forints with an additional 50 billion forints earmarked for this field.

The President of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference (MRK) welcomed the programme, and specifically the cancellation of the partial student loan and the fact that the number of state-financed places will not be lower than this year.

(Prime Minister's Office)