Concerns as pvt edn getting costlier

Country's private university, medical and engineering education is going to be costlier as the government has proposed imposing tax on the sector in the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2015-2016.
Terming the government's proposal to impose such tax a major 'barrier' to expanding higher education in the country, academics and other stakeholders have said it is in contradiction to the government's vision to educate all.
"It is very unfortunate that the government has taken decision to impose tax on private university education. It's a reflection of lack of its foresight," said Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University.
For the first time, the national budget for FY 2015-2016 has proposed slapping 10 per cent tax on private university as well as medical and engineering colleges.
Mr Ahmed said imposition of tax will definitely hinder tertiary education, especially for middle-income group, which will subsequently affect the 'national maturity'.
At present, there are 81 private universities in the country where around 1.5 million students are studying as public universities cannot accommodate all.
"Private university students have already been overburden with increased tuition and other academic fees. Now this fresh tax will pose serious threat to them," the political scientist said, adding that cashing in on imposition of fresh tax, private educational institutions will also increase fees for their students.
He called upon the government to step up its support for private education as the government alone cannot deliver schooling in the country.
"However, the government must strengthen its monitoring over the sector," he said, adding that because of weak monitoring, few universities are also doing certificate business in the country.
In his reaction, Sheikh Kabir Hossain, president of Private University Association of Bangladesh (PUAB), told the FE that imposition of tax on private university education is ridiculous while the incumbent administration is willing to expand tertiary education.
"It will seriously affect the country's university education," he said, adding that this fresh charge will directly affect the students as the institutions will impose tax on their students.
"As our universities are run by the trusty board, the government cannot impose tax," Mr Hossain said, adding that they are providing the students with university education sans profits. He called upon the government to withdraw the proposed tax immediately.
He said they will shortly protest against the government's fresh tax measures. "However, we aren't considering launching any agitation immediately as we hope the government will understand the situation," Mr Hossain noted.
While they were demanding abolition of total hidden taxes like tax on land acquisition for building academic infrastructures, he said, the government has proposed fresh tax.
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