Tax on private universities

Imposition of additional tax on private universities of the country is surely going to push the education expenses up for students and will create a negative impact on our education sector. It is being viewed by experts as an impediment to higher education. It is sad to note that instead of encouraging education sector, the government is actually discouraging it. The 7.5 per cent tax is nothing but an additional burden for the guardians of the students aspiring to seek higher education at private universities.

Private education is already an expensive affair in our country and the latest move by the government has added fuel to the fire. Higher education is a necessity now and not a luxury any more. Prospects appear to be further bleak for many of the not-so-solvent guardians who send their children to private universities with the hope to give them quality education and pave the way for attaining a better life. The government from its side should make sure that the private education is affordable to most people.

It is an established fact that because of quality education at private universities many parents prefer not to send their children abroad for higher studies and it is saving our foreign currency. We all know that education is the backbone of a nation and one cannot dream of achieving a poverty-free Bangladesh if we cannot make education affordable to everyone. Seven and a half per cent tax on private universities will only discourage the middle class people from sending their children to private universities.

Saiful Islam

Baridhara DOHS