Do you think Government should stop giving out PTPTN loan to "well-to-do" family?

[jimmylim]

In a news today at the malaysian mirror (http://www.malaysianmirror.com/homedetail/45/28544), I think it is a wrong move by the Higher Education Ministry to start restricting the PTPTN loan. They should just focus in collecting back the payments and not stop giving out to certain people......which they say "well to do" family. So, what is really well-to-do family? What if my rich dad don't want to finance my education just because I am a girl?
Please give your views.
For the sake of higher education Share
Monday, 01 February 2010 13:47 ALOR SETAR - The government should place higher priority in increasing the budget for loans to deserving Malaysian students giving them an opportunity to pursue higher education.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang has called for a bigger govenrment allocation to the The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin had earlier said that the PTPTN required RM5 billion a year to ensure those qualified to pursue higher education are not deprived of the opportunity.

The current allocation of RM3 billion a year by the federal government was seen as insufficient by the year 2013 as the number of students pursuing higher education increased.

Students with merits

"Higher education is the backbone for human capital development in our country," said Tan in a press statement.

On the minister's call upon well-to-do parents to take responsibility in financing their children's education and not to rely on the government, Tan said:

"It would be unfortunate if those students with merits are taken away from their opportunity to pursue higher education due to the poor definition of 'well-to-do' parents.

"Instead, I would call upon the government to increase the allocation to PTPTN when the fund for disbursement of the PTPTN loan is insufficient."

Tan added that the PTPTN loans are subject to repayment by all the students upon their graduation (unless they have obtained 1st class degrees). The PTPTN loans are unlike "scholarships" which are not subject to repayment.

Financial condition

He said scholarships should be given based on merits and the financial position of the parents but
"not feasible for PTPTN to consider its grant of loan based on parent's financial condition."

His reason was that there could be instances where "well-to-do" parents refuse to finance their children's education as they may not place their child's education as priority.

There could also be a situation whereby those "well-to-do" parents have a large number of children and it is beyond their means to finance every single child in the family, he said. Last Updated on Monday, 01 February 2010 14:02

[jolee888]

just ridiculuos that PTPTN loan going to be restricted. How are you going to know a family is rich or poor? What about poor family with 1 children and rich family with 10 children? Who is more deserve????

[vseehua]

If a rich family can afford to feed 12 mouths (F + M + 10C), they can surely afford their education as well...

In any case, PTPTN should really get it's gear on the public communications side oiled. Much money has been left uncollected because they didn't bother to reply to graduates who had enquired about the method of repayment...

[BattleBoyz]

What the... Its ridiculous. How they define "well-to-do" family? Does that includes parents with moderate income? I agree with vseehua that they should focus on getting back the loans they gave. Oh no.. what we gonna do now?

[Xero]

For me and my friends' case, I think our parents don't want to finance our education because we are guys and guys suppose to find money ownself. Which makes things even harder for us because from what I see, nowadays girls get money easier, because so many people are helping, and for some jobs girls get better payments than guys.

Imagine even when I apply for scholarships, the organization that is giving out the scholarship for sure is putting high expectations on me because of my parents salary slips, but in reality, I did not get much financial help from my parents for my education to meet their expectations.

The definition of well to do parents should take into account the family's expenses and the social condition of the family as well, then only they can know whether the student is really 'needy' or not.

My parents spent too much for my sister's education but too little on mine, I'm really needy thats for sure.

[orthopod]

I think they should vet the "Potential PTPtN" loan recipient.But again In malaysia its difficult to do that with many people under declaring their income.(just like the mad rush for JPA scholarship)

Plus I do know of many well do to do PTPTN loan recipients who take these loans although their families can pay for their education and they give the following reasons:

1)Hope no need to pay back la
2)Interest so low so might as well take it.Rugi only if dont take.

Also i think 150k for a medical student is TOOOOOOO much..probably they want to support these private med schools in one way or another.

[jimmylim]

PTPTN:Let merit be sole criterion

Discussion & letters From News Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/articles/18pti/Article/index_html

2010/02/10


I WOULD like to join the debate on the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans.
I just started Form Five and I am concerned about the statement by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin that he was looking at ways to limit the loan amount, for example, by only covering tuition fees, and to give help only to those who "need" them.

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang, in his letter published in the NST on Feb 2, asked the government to raise the allocation for PTPTN instead, and to ensure that everyone was given a chance to take PTPTN loans.

There was also a letter, published on the same day, by M.P. Babu of Johor, who said that PTPTN loans should only be given to those who need them.

I agree with Tan and disagree with Babu. How can the government know who needs loans and who doesn't? Why must a student's need be decided by his family's financial status?

The government should not discriminate against students based on their parent's financial status. I agree with Tan's remarks: "There could be instances where 'well-to-do' parents refuse to finance their children's education as they may not see this as a priority.

"There could also be situations where well-to-do parents have many children and it is beyond their means to finance every single child.

"It would be unfortunate if those students with merit are deprived of the opportunity to pursue higher education due to the poor definition of well-to-do parents."

Another reader, in a letter published on Feb 3, said it was the business of banks to give education loans and that the government should not compete with banks.

I don't mind if banks give loans similar to those given by PTPTN but I have not heard of such a bank loan. I hear that some parents borrow from moneylenders to send their children for further studies.

My family is in the middle- income bracket. I have five brothers and sisters and had planned on taking a PTPTN loan to continue my studies at Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman and proceed to Universiti Tun-ku Abdul Rahman.

I don't think my parents can afford to pay for my university education, even though they earn RM6,000 plus per month. They have to pay the mortgage, car-loan instalments and other things.

I hope the government will allow students to take PTPTN loans without any difficulty and not discriminate on family background or financial situation.

GEORGE YEOH, Kajang

Equal access


I DISAGREE with Marisa Demori's views on the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans ("It's the business of banks, not govt" -- NST, Feb 3).

Education is not merely about acquiring technical skills; it is also about self-improvement, knowing how to apply the knowledge gained and being able to innovate using that knowledge.

PTPTN serves a vital role in providing equal access to education for everyone. By giving loans to those who have got a place in our universities, the fund allows students from lower-income backgrounds to not only improve their lot, but to expose themselves to intellectual debate and stimulation of their peers.

As a final-year university student, I can state that in my two years of university education, I have gained so much more than my textbooks ever taught me.

It has allowed me to mature in an environment that encourages thinking and criticising, instead of merely believing what is put in front of me. The exposure to different viewpoints, each with its own merits, and the guidance of my professors have given me an experience that has changed me, and will continue to change me for the better.

Has Marisa thought of the consequences of the private sector taking up the responsibility of funding the education of our students?

The more stringent requirements and higher burden required to take a loan would discourage many from pursuing their dreams, resulting in an educated generation consisting only of those from more privileged backgrounds. This would result in a huge imbalance in society.

A government's role is wide-ranging and it has to take the long-term and short-term consequences into account. Where would we be in 50 years if we do not educate the present generation?

Admittedly, experience is something that contributes invaluably to work performance, but experience guided by knowledge is so much more useful. Instead of blindly performing the task at hand, having a proper academic background would lead to questions such as, "Why am I doing this?" and "How can I do it better?", and this is where the roots of progress lie.

Management expert Peter Drucker once said: "A knowledge worker is non-manual, what you have to go to school to learn; what you can't learn by an apprenticeship."

He recognised the importance of education, our forefathers recognised the importance of education and now we must act on our recognition of the importance of education.

The problem faced by PTPTN is not so much a lack of funds as the slow repayment of loans. PTPTN should liaise with the Internal Revenue Board and the Employees Provident Fund to ensure that those who can pay up loans do so when they start working.

It should consider converting loans into scholarships should students enter government service.

The corporation should solve the problems that plague the implementation of its service and punish those who exploit it.

Let education be a dream to aspire to, not a privilege.

CHAN YI JIEN, Subang Jaya

Poor planning

THE National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) needs to be commended for extending financial aid to students pursuing tertiary education. Taxpayers' money is well used, as thousands of students benefit from this scheme.


The PTPTN loan is confined to students who secure entry to local colleges and universities. It is given to any student who applies for one.

It is time the corporation extends the loans to students who study in overseas universities. It is simple logic that studying abroad is more expensive.

Why then this discrimination, when our country aspires to become a developed nation? Why does the corporation fail to understand the financial burden shouldered by parents who send their children to study at foreign universities?

Aren't these parents also paying tax? What is the rationale for denying loans to these students?

I hope the government will consider giving PTPTN loans to students studying abroad.

Now, we hear even more bad news: the government plans to give loans only to those who "need" them. The reason, the corporation says, is a shortage of funds.

How could there be a shortage of funds if there had been proper financial planning and projection?

PERUMAL LETCHUMANAN, Lunas, Kedah

[vseehua]

Redundant thread merged. Jimmy, please don't create new threads just to quote something without comments whatsoever.

[jimmylim]

ok. no problem. i thought was too long to put as a comment. Thanks for cutting and paste it here.

Government should focus to get back PTPTN loan repayment. Not cutting size of loan.
Focus on the main problem la.

[SoooNegative]

I do wonder why studying is so expensive when everyone can benefit from it if it is done correctly by more people? For the sake of furthering their studies, people would entertain the usage of illegal and immoral ways, such as, Quote: understating pay. How well? How good can an education be if it is tainted by small "evils" that drive it. Maybe what should be put into consideration is the cost for pursuing studies and not the aid, as it is somewhat voluntary, given to overcome the cost for pursuing the studies.