Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Dilmurod Artykov, a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, has submitted an official inquiry regarding the introduction of a new fee for private universities, according to UzLiDeP’s press service.

On 29 November, the Republican Council for Higher Education decided that private educational institutions must pay 4% of the tuition fees from their contracts. University leaders were instructed to sign agreements by 25 December 2024, and transfer the required amount by 25 January 2025.

The fee initiative reportedly came from the universities’ own leadership. They claim the payment will support educational policies, protect the interests of institutions and their students, and foster healthy competition in the education market.

It was noted that public universities already pay a similar fee. However, economist Yuliy Yusupov criticized the move, stating that retroactively collecting such payments is "unthinkable."

UzLiDeP also opposed the proposed measure, arguing that government bodies cannot impose fees on entrepreneurs without legal grounds. The party warned that this could negatively impact reforms aimed at attracting foreign investments into the education system.

Artykov addressed Minister of Higher Education Kungratbay Sharipov and Prosecutor General Nigmatilla Yuldashev, requesting an explanation for their support of this initiative in his parliamentary inquiry.

Additionally, former deputy Rasul Kusherbayev sent a request to Odil Abdurakhmanov, the head of the Presidential Administration’s Social Development Department. Kusherbayev questioned the council’s composition, approved by the same protocol, and sought clarification on which law grants the council powers to make decisions overriding government resolutions or whether other documents provide it with unclear or secret authorities.