The Lebanese University (LU) made a legislation yesterday, where it will take tuition in ‘fresh’ dollars from international students at the official exchange rate.
The legislation was approved by the Minister of Education Abbas Al Halabi and signed by the university’s president Fouad Ayyoub.
Individuals unaffected by this decision are students with Lebanese citizenship, as well as Syrians and Palestinians residing in Lebanon.
In the legislation paper, it was said that the budget made for the Lebanese University and the soaring prices make it difficult to remain supplied in order to operate properly.
Therefore, they are seeking ways to receive funding in ‘fresh’ dollars in order to “avoid the university stopping its operation.”
An important portion of the people affected by this law are children with Lebanese mothers married to non-Lebanese fathers.
Due to the law prohibiting Lebanese mothers from giving nationality to their children, they are considered foreigners and will have to pay in ‘fresh’ dollars.
The “My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family” organization released a statement earlier today strongly condemning such a decision that discriminates against these students, born and raised in Lebanon where they live, and which families’ incomes are in Lebanese pounds.
Such decision will make it impossible for them to pursue their education.