University students have been in a quandary ever since the Movement Control Order began in March 2020. Online learning is definitely not easy especially since some students live in rural areas with no access to laptops or Internet.
However, their biggest concern is that most universities have not reduced their fees despite students conducting online learning for the most part of the year. Addressing these concerns, former Youth and Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq, said during the Dewan Rakyat that university students are disappointed that their fees are not reduced.
"Bukan sahaja mereka tidak menggunakan fasiliti di universiti, mereka terpaksa membayar kos internet di rumah. Mereka juga terpaksa pulang ke rumah dan datang semula ke universiti di minit akhir," kata Ahli Parlimen Muar @SyedSaddiq#DewanRakyat #NormaBaharu #HapusCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/s1AnsbIYjw
— ??Astro AWANI?? (@501Awani) November 18, 2020
“Why are the fees same when students aren’t even using the facilities? Not only that, they also have to pay for their Internet at home!”
He added that students have also been burdened by constant last-minute decisions made by the Higher Education Ministry.
“Students were asked to go back home, come back university multiple times even those who are staying in Sabah and Sarawak.”
University managements were allocated RM300million from the 2021 Budget but Syed Saddiq asked why the fees were not reduced despite such a large allocation. He said that if universities receive monetary help, they should be required to reduce their students’ fees no matter public or private university.
Syed Saddiq applauded the government’s decision of allocating RM150million to give laptops to needy students BUT in fact, the Barisan Nasional government made the same move back then. However, most laptops that were given were not of high quality and malfunctioned after two or three years.
“An open tender should be done for these laptops to ensure students only get products of the best quality,” he added.
What do you think of this statement by Syed Saddiq? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Syed Saddiq Chides MOHE Minister For Prioritising Politics Instead Of Student Welfare
