German Conservatives Support Fees for Higher Education

Germany’s conservative opposition on Thursday said it supported introducing tuition fees for the country’s cash-strapped colleges and universities. The conservatives presented a united front on the issue in a parliamentary debate after previously being divided over raising the costs of higher education. Katherina Reiche, education spokeswoman for the Christian Democrats, urged ending a ban on tuition fees in order to “finally give colleges their freedom.” After falling behind other countries, Germany is considering a wide-ranging restructuring of its higher education system, including the introduction of internationally recognized Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.