Talented students will receive higher stipends

The monthly stipends of talented students studying at arts boarding-schools and of fourth-ninth graders of the National College of Choreography will be raised in two stages: by 38% from January 1, 2009 and by 30% from September 1, Info-Prim Neo reports. The promotion stipend of the first class for second-fourth graders will be increased to 200 lei at the first stage and to 260 lei in September. The stipend for fifth-ninth graders will be raised to 310 lei and 400 lei respectively, while for students of the tenth-twelfth grades – to 395 lei and, respectively 510 lei. The maintenance stipend will be 310 lei from January 1 and 400 lei from September 1. Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Ion Munteanu said that the money needed for the purpose is available in the budget for this year.