Beginning yesterday, the students are striking at all institutions of higher learning, demanding that the Shochat Committee on higher education reform be disbanded. This extreme step puts studies on hold for some 250,000 university and college students.

The Shochat Committee was established in November 2006, when institutions of higher learning were in a crisis. The trouble was two-pronged: a brain drain, with brilliant scholars leaving for institutions abroad where salaries and research budgets are greater; and the slashing of higher education budgets during the economic crunch of the second intifada. Over the past two years, part of the funding was restored, but since the number of students has also grown impressively, the budget per student has declined. Now the system is missing about NIS 1 billion compared with 2000, the apex in terms of higher education funding.

As a result of the crisis, the cabinet decided to establish the Shochat Committee, which was charged with examining the higher education system and proposing comprehensive solutions.

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But the students are unimpressed that this is a respectable committee of some 50 members, mostly from academia. They want to torpedo its work even before its conclusions are published. In light of the difficult straits of the universities and colleges, clearly the state will have to increase higher education funding. However, it should be remembered that in the context of the desirable increase in the number of students, the demand for additional budgets will also increase, and government funding alone cannot meet all the needs. This is the basis for the Shochat Committee's recommendation that additional resources be obtained by raising tuition. The students are clinging to the Winograd Committee's 2000 conclusions that tuition be halved over a few years. Tuition did in fact decrease, but by only 26 percent; the students are now demanding a further cut.

But there is nothing sacred about the Winograd Committee recommendations. Over the past 30 years, six committees have discussed the matter. Since the Winograd Committee convened, seven years have passed, and new circumstances require new solutions.

Under the circumstances, it is right to raise tuition, which now stands at about NIS 9,000 a year. However, the increase must be accompanied by comprehensive assistance for those who cannot pay. This can be accomplished by extending government-subsidized student loans and offering scholarships.

The basic principle in any solution is that anyone who wants to obtain higher education should be able to get it. Poorer individuals should not be prevented from obtaining a degree due to tuition limitations. On the contrary, increase the number of students and curb the brain drain.