Free travel for disabled students on public transport

Disabled students will enjoy free travels on public transport, including railway. During yesterday’s Government meeting Premier Tarlev requested the Ministry of Social Protection to work out a plan for financial support of this specific category, and the Ministry of Transports and Road Management to present proposals in order to ensure the free circulation for the disadvantaged students. At present these students benefit from social financial aids and other assistance from available funds. The tuition and accommodation fee has been annulled and they also enjoy free meals (one meal per day), free treatment in university clinics and low fares for public transport. The authorities are now working on installing platforms to ensure easy access of the disabled students to institutions, libraries and other public establishments. A special committee of the Ministry of Education and Youth will assess within a 2 month period the situation in the educational establishments (higher and professional) in order to set up a special program creating necessary living and study conditions for disabled students. The committee will also involve representatives of disabled students’ organisations. At present, there are 265 students with disabilities studying in Moldova.