DUSAHNBE, September 1, Asia-Plus -- More than 30,000 freshmen have entered the Tajik higher educational institutions this academic year, according to information from the Ministry of Education.

Nuriddin Saidov, the head of the department for higher, special secondary and post-diploma education of the Ministry of Education, says 916 students entered the Tajik higher educational institutions by presidential quota,  

Besides, of those over 30,000 freshmen, some 20,000 will study on a contractual basis (paid education).   

On the resolution setting the highest rate of payments for studying at US$800, Mr. Saidov said that it had not made any considerable changes.  “Moreover, some higher educational institutions have even lowered the payment rates,” said Saidov, “Thus, Tajik State Institute of Languages and Teachers’ Training Universities in Qurghon Teppa and Kulob lowered the rates of payments for studying by US$100, and the Tajik Teachers’ Training University in Dushanbe lowered the rate of payments for students from neighboring countries studying on the contractual basis.” 

At present, 134,000 students study in the higher educational institutions in Tajikistan.

We will recall that the council of Tajik rectors jointly with the education ministry has made decision this year, under which studying on the contractual basis will cost from US$200 to US$800.   

According to the Asia-Plus interlocutor, when setting the rates they took into consideration all expenses on studying of students.