The idea of transforming public universities into private presented at the meeting of the General Council for Science and Higher Education (RGNiSW), which is the representative body of the academic and consultative, including for the government. Prof. Daria, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, said at the time that the proposed solution you have to think about it. “We should consider the possibility of bringing the assets to public universities and private entities thus creating private entities’ – according to a report RGNiSW meeting.
– Yes Minister’s speech understood. Did not rule out such a solution. The answer to the question about the possibility considered that it falls to consider – confirms Marek Kisilowski of the Department of Administration and Social Sciences Warsaw University of Technology, who drafted the report.
This is contrary to the right to free education
– You have to consider the possibility of privatizing some public universities. Currently, some of them are poorly taught. There is no point in them at all costs to maintain. If the government does not want them stubbornly closed, leaving a consolidation or acquisition by a private entity – says prof. Maciej Żylicz, president of the Foundation for Polish Science.
Another view is prof. Małgorzata Kowalska from the University of Bialystok.
– The idea that the demographic and economic reasons, to enable the acquisition of public schools to private operators, is scandalous – assesses. In her opinion, the proposal is antykonstytucyjna, contrary to the right to free education at the college.
– It may be recalled that the level of higher education funding from the state budget in Poland is to absolutely the lowest in Europe, and the level of funding of the pocket Private contrary, the far highest. That has to change – says prof. Małgorzata Kowalska.
Public Colleges for sale
– From an economic point of view, keeping some university becomes less and less profitable, some of them at a loss. This also applies to certain public institutions, especially in smaller towns. You have to cover the losses of public funds – says Paul Zygarłowski, CEO of Centre for the Development of Higher Education Academy TEB.
For example, in the State Higher Vocational School in Sandomierz were registered only 53 students. The government does not pay such universities to continue, but does not intend to quit yet.
Partnership schools
– why the legislature should allow the possibility of combining public universities and private. Yet there are various forms of public-private partnership, it could also work in this sector – says Paul Zygarłowski.
In his view, such a solution would prevent the liquidation of universities in the smaller towns. – Students do not have to resort to Warsaw or Krakow – explains Paul Zygarłowski.
He is echoed by other experts. – Currently, there are solutions that allow for broad cooperation between schools, their restructuring and consolidation. Therefore, the government should work out a way that will make it at every level. And it’s not just about the possibility of taking over the public by private universities, but also, eg. By creating associations between them and other forms of organizational capital – says prof. Jan Szambelańczyk from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Economics in Poznan.
Paul Zygarłowski complements that the continued operation of the private entity does not necessarily mean the automatic acquisition of the assets, in particular property at a public university.
– Could it be used by non-public school on preferential terms, appropriate to the activities in the public interest – he said.
– Currently, however, there is no legal possibility to private entities could take public universities. This would require changes in regulations – says Andrzej Kiebała turn from the School of Information Technology and Management, a member of the Central Council of Science and Higher Education (RGNiSW).
It was a fitting
Government wondered already on the consolidation of public and private universities. Such a solution would even be made to the Act – Law on higher education, but in the end the idea is not accepted.
Meanwhile, experts suggest the Ministry of Science and Higher Education other ways of saving public universities. Professor Maciej Żylicz, president of the Foundation for Polish Science, suggests that the government should consider the introduction of a partial tuition fees. It should be combined with the credit system of deferred payment.
– The loan would be returned by the graduate who could benefit from the tax shield, ie the possibility of a copy of the cost of the tax base. In a situation of paying taxes in another country than Poland, a graduate draw the loan in installments proportional to earnings. Students achieves the best results in science should be able to partially redeem the loan – says Maciej Żylicz. – Of course, now paying for public college is impossible and requires amendment to the Constitution – he added.
Another way is the closure of unprofitable schools. However, prof. Daria, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, said that the closure of schools and introduce charges are not possible for political reasons, as well as the fear of social unrest and a decrease in government support in the field. So according to a report from the last meeting RGNiSW that drew Marek Kisilowski Warsaw University of Technology.
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