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Momodou
Denmark
11761 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Dec 2010 : 18:38:25
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Foroyaa Editorial: A LEVY ON PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Parents are already unable to pay the cost
29-12-10
According to the Minister of Finance, “Government will also introduce a new levy on private Educational Institutions. The appropriate levy will be gazetted to take effect in January 2011”
The Government should bear in mind that private educational institutions are already charging very high tuition and fees that many parents are finding difficult to pay. Many school children are now being asked by the schools to stay away until they settle their bills. There is growing irregularity of attendance of students at schools because of the inability by parents to settle bills. The Government needs to establish a Commission to study the growing cost of education in private schools with a view to providing grants to such schools so that they could reduce the cost of education.
To our surprise the Government is talking about imposing a levy on the schools which is undoubtedly going to be transferred to the parents.
In our view, a progressive government will seek ways and means of subsidizing the cost of education to reduce the burden on parents. It will not impose levies on educational institutions or taxes on bookshops and the sale of educational material.
At the moment the government is talking about imposing a levy on educational institutions. We hope that this policy will not only be revisited but the policy of withholding sales tax on educational materials will be maintained and that book stores are also exempted from taxation.
No Government could be seen to be committed to making education accessible to the poor that imposes taxes and levies on educational institutions and learning materials. Advocacy groups campaigning for education for all should take note.
Source: Foroyaa
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