Many do not appreciate PTPTN for helping students

BESUT: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh has expressed disappointment over the attitude of certain parties which do not appreciate the efforts of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

He said there were also those who wanted to abolish the PTPTN loans just to get votes and be seen as providing free education when they knew that was not possible.

“With the PTPTN which gives loans to students, about 200,000 STPM, STAM and SPM schoolleavers can now study at local and overseas institutes of higher learning,” he said at the Excellent Service Award presentation ceremony of the Besut Education Office held at the Demong Resort here yesterday.

Idris, who is also Besut MP, said many people did not realise that in implementing the national education policy, the government had financed about 90 percent of the cost of their tertiary education in government institutions while they paid for the remainder through the PTPTN loans.

He added that the PTPTN must be continued to enable those with qualifications to enter university, without facing financial constraints.

“The PTPTN does not only provide loans but has also benefited the people through the 1Malaysia National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN1M-i) given to various parties, including those who received the Excellent Service Award (APC) like in Terengganu,” he said.

Idris said this year, the PTPTN had approved RM1.944 million to be given to 1,944 educators who received the APC, with each person getting RM1,000 through the SSPN1M-i.

At the event, 285 staff of the Besut district education department were awarded the APC. - Bernama