Students finally get their money, a month later
Roshan JasonPublished: Jan 3, 2005 6:47 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
At last, local university students are able to study in peace again after worrying for weeks over their education grant.
The loan money the students have been waiting for arrived at last, albeit almost a month after the new semester had started.
At last, local university students are able to study in peace again after worrying for weeks over their education grant.
Their loan money finally came on Dec 26, almost a month after their new semester began on Nov 29. Several of them attributed this payment for their study loans to the student movement's strength.
University Putra Malaysia (UPM) student representative Kong Wee Cheng said today that the delay in disbursement of loans was reconciled soon after it was publicised because of the efforts and recognition of "student power".
"It is a victory for the student movement which pressured and lobbied various groups including (loan providers) the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (better know as PTPTN)," said Kong when contacted by malaysiakini.
The 2004/2005 UPM student council member also said that many students were relieved to be able to eat healthily again as they had been waiting for close to a month for the money - used for daily amenities - to be credited to them.
The money is part of the RM7,000 Kong and other science students receive under the PTPTN loan scheme established in 1997 for undergraduates. Art students receive RM500 less.
While part of it is used to directly pay the university for its tuition fees, PTPTN pays its grant holders RM2,500 for each of the two semesters in a year.
Apart from food, students use it for the purchase of a variety of study- related items, Kong added.
Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Salleh was reported to have attributed the delay to a data system problem and not because of insufficient funds in PTPTN. The loan is usually credited into a student's account within 14 days of the semester's commencement.
PTPTN chairperson Razali Ismail explained that the money was being disbursed to the more than 130,000 recipients from Dec 22 as soon as the problem had been solved.
By Dec 26, all the students had received their money, he added.
Studies affected
In a press statement on Dec 23, the Solidarity Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), a national student movement, questioned PTPTN's transparency and competency.
"Ever since the PTPTN was given the responsibility of providing student loans, there have been problems with students' finances and SMM is unsatisfied with the services provided," the statement read.
"It must be noted that students pay a three percent service charge in its repayment for unsatisfactory services. Furthermore, PTPTN uses the same excuses every year to hide their weaknesses".
The student body requested for the higher education ministry to take steps in ensuring that PTPTN functions better and carries out its role more efficiently as its shabbiness in handling funds has affected the students' studies.
Their loan money finally came on Dec 26, almost a month after their new semester began on Nov 29. Several of them attributed this payment for their study loans to the student movement's strength.
University Putra Malaysia (UPM) student representative Kong Wee Cheng said today that the delay in disbursement of loans was reconciled soon after it was publicised because of the efforts and recognition of "student power".
"It is a victory for the student movement which pressured and lobbied various groups including (loan providers) the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (better know as PTPTN)," said Kong when contacted by malaysiakini.
The 2004/2005 UPM student council member also said that many students were relieved to be able to eat healthily again as they had been waiting for close to a month for the money - used for daily amenities - to be credited to them.
The money is part of the RM7,000 Kong and other science students receive under the PTPTN loan scheme established in 1997 for undergraduates. Art students receive RM500 less.
While part of it is used to directly pay the university for its tuition fees, PTPTN pays its grant holders RM2,500 for each of the two semesters in a year.
Apart from food, students use it for the purchase of a variety of study- related items, Kong added.
Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Salleh was reported to have attributed the delay to a data system problem and not because of insufficient funds in PTPTN. The loan is usually credited into a student's account within 14 days of the semester's commencement.
PTPTN chairperson Razali Ismail explained that the money was being disbursed to the more than 130,000 recipients from Dec 22 as soon as the problem had been solved.
By Dec 26, all the students had received their money, he added.
Studies affected
In a press statement on Dec 23, the Solidarity Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), a national student movement, questioned PTPTN's transparency and competency.
"Ever since the PTPTN was given the responsibility of providing student loans, there have been problems with students' finances and SMM is unsatisfied with the services provided," the statement read.
"It must be noted that students pay a three percent service charge in its repayment for unsatisfactory services. Furthermore, PTPTN uses the same excuses every year to hide their weaknesses".
The student body requested for the higher education ministry to take steps in ensuring that PTPTN functions better and carries out its role more efficiently as its shabbiness in handling funds has affected the students' studies.
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