Mecision on IPT a burden to parents
The last minute decision of the Higher Education Ministry to postpone the returnH as well as registration of new students in all institutions of higher learning (IPT)H has created financial burden to Sabahan parents.
KOTA KINABALU: The last minute decision of the Higher Education Ministry to postpone the return, as well as registration of new students in all institutions of higher learning (IPT), has created financial burdens to Sabahan parents and students.
Raidah Sudin, 39, one of many the parents who was very vocal on criticising the announcement on social media is hoping the government, if not compensate their “loss”, at least to do something to ease their burden.
Right after her first born, Ivy Chang Qi Jun, 18, received an offer letter from an art institute, Aswara, Kuala Lumpur to pursue her Diploma in Visual Communication Design, Raidah was excited but nervous about the financial preparations.
“I am a home-based childcare operator in Sepanggar, and currently facing difficulties in getting customers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since I had already prepared some fund for my daughter, I was very excited with the offer from Aswara. I bought plane tickets for the whole family to accompany her for the registration.
“My husband and I spent thousands of ringgit to prepare everything, even my daughter sells her paintings to help us with the registration fees and some other things that she needs there,” she said.
Raidah's family was scheduled to fly to Kuala Lumpur on the September 29.
However, a day before the date, the ministry had announced that all universities are not allowing students to register physically, especially those from Sabah due to the spike of positive cases in the state.
She could not do refund or reschedule their tickets, as it requires at least 24 hours to do so.
After all the hard work of savings and helping her daughter selling paintings, the news just broke her heart.
“I don't know when is the new date for the registration. We are waiting for further information from Aswara, and hopefully we will be given time to buy another tickets.
“And I hope there will be a proper planning by the relevant bodies before they announce anything. Please do not forget about Sabahans and Sarawakians who are travelling by air. We cannot afford to travel frequently,” she added.
Raidah is also hoping the government will show their “mercy” to Sabahans from the low-income families by helping them with the “burnt” flight tickets.
Meanwhile, a degree student from Penampang who is supposed to return to UiTM Puncak Alam for her fifth semester was lucky for the “mistake” she did.
The medical laboratory technologist student, Farah Cheng said she prepared her ticket right after the fourth semester concluded.
“The initial date for our faculty to start class was October 12, so I booked my ticket two days earlier (Oct 10) right after I received the schedule from our head.
“However, we were given notice that the registration for new semester will begin from 2nd to 4th October. I did not change my ticket, but informed my head that I already booked my ticket earlier,” said Farah.
“After the announcement by the ministry that the registration to all universities was postponed, I managed to cancel my flight and put it in my e-wallet credit account. I will buy a new ticket after the university gives us a new date,” she said.
According to Farrah, she feel bad looking at many messages in their Sabahan students whatsapp group, especially those who had already arrived at the university but were ordered to vacant their hostel.
Some of them admitted that they do not have close family in Kuala Lumpur.
“I hope there will be people helping them to get a proper place to stay because I know it is not easy to be away from family if you don't have anyone.
“This pandemic has changed everything. It makes us to be prepared for anything, even the worst,” she added.
According to the ministry, the decision to postpone the physical registration of the students involved must be made in order to preserve the well-being and safety of all students, university staff and all parties involved.
It also said that it had proactively consulted with airlines to seek their cooperation in allowing students to reschedule flights they had already booked.