SHAH ALAM, 3 Apr: The fees charged for educational services that the goods and services tax (GST) is imposed on caused the cost of studying for students at Higher Education Institutions (IPT) to increase.
The Exco for Education, Human Capital Development, Technology and Innovation, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, said that he received complaints regarding the administrative costs following the implementation of the GST.
“Although the Federal Government declared that education services are exempt from the GST, but as we all know, once the GST is introduced, sectors that supposedly are exempt from the GST are also affected.
“Although there are GST sectors at a rate of zero, the overall economy is affected by the GST; we cannot escape from price increases,” he told Selangor Kini today.
According to him, students are increasingly pressured when the National Higher Education Fund Cooperation (PTPTN) loans have been reduced.
“PTPTN announced the new funding for IPTS (Private Institutes of Higher Learning) is reduced by 15 percent and 5 percent for IPTA (Public Institutes of Higher Learning).
“We will monitor it closely to ensure that semester fees, hostel fees and the cost of services at Unisel are not subject to the GST,” he explained.
The state government will provide cost of living and Selangorku scholarships in hope of helping students.
NS
