HOSTEL and service fees for students in public universities are cut by 15 % in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Dr Mansor Othman.

The deputy education minister said the reduction in fees for the 2019 and 2020 semesters would cost the government RM72 million.

He said 523,318 students stood to benefit from the decision.

“The fee structure for the universities will remain despite the pandemic. In order to assist the parents and students, we had a meeting with the Finance Ministry to seek a solution.

“After taking into account the government’s finances, it was decided that a 15% reduction would be granted,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today at question time.

He was responding to Hajah Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort-Bersatu ) who asked about tuition fees at public and private Institutions of higher learning affected by the health crisis.

Varsity students are asking for the government to consider their proposal of a 25% reduction in tuition fees. 

Public university students are asking the government fo a 25% reduction in tuition fees. 

In June, the Universiti Malaya student union submitted a petition to vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim to knock off 25%, or RM250, of tuition fees.

The petition had 23,446 signatures. 

Mansor said the government had already doled out aid to the students.

For example, 841,464 students had received a handout of RM200 each, he said.

He said RM52 million was spent on food for the students who were on campus during the movement control order period. 

“We also sent home 57, 565 students, which entailed an allocation of RM17.4 million.”

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation has also delayed collecting loan payments  until December 31. 

“This will benefit 1.5 million borrowers who owe RM750 million.” – August 26, 2020.