North Macedonia students allegedly deprived of 6.5 million euros

The organization Crvena Mladina has accused the government of failing to implement the Law on Subsidized Student Meals for the past three years. According to Marija Vancheva, the General Secretary of Crvena Mladina, this failure has resulted in an estimated loss of 6.5 million euros for students.

The law requires the subsidized meal amount to be adjusted annually based on the inflation rate before the next year's budget is passed. However, the amount has remained unchanged despite three budget cycles. Vancheva stated that this has effectively deprived each student of 650 denars per month that they are legally entitled to receive.

In response, MPs from the Levica party have announced plans to submit an urgent legal amendment to correct the situation and ensure the meal amounts are increased. The issue is expected to become part of the parliamentary agenda, with calls for a reaction from the Ministry of Education and Science.