Tuition fees at public colleges, univs to go up fivefold: Finance minister
Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Thursday tuition fees at public colleges and universities including medical colleges will be five times higher in the budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2017-18.
"Overall fees at public schools are low. But monthly tuition fee of Tk 12 and Tk 16 at those colleges and universities respectively is absurd," the minister said at a pre-budget discussion with the non-government organisations (NGOs).
His announcement came while reacting to the present tuition fee structures at public medical colleges and universities, which has been prevailing for the past 50 years.
Dr Zafrullah from Ganoshasthya Medical College Hospital urged the minister to increase tuition fees and other charges at public medical colleges and universities as many well-off students are studying there at such low cost which can be a great source of revenue earning for the government.
Talking to the journalists, the minister said when a student comes to a public institution he/she spends almost no money. On the other hand, they spend thousands of taka in private institutions and they don't bother.
Regarding the proposal for keeping the interns in rural areas for one year, Mr Muhith said it is the decision of the health ministry but he will certainly convey important points to the Prime Minister. He said it is not a big matter to keep separate allocation of Tk 1.0 billion for this purpose, if necessary.
In his proposal, Dr Zafrullah said Tk 900 million will be needed if the government wants to keep its 5,000 doctors in rural areas for additional one year.
Besides, Dr Zafrullah identified corruption and unequal behaviour of the government as the main obstacles to establish good governance in health sector. The five star hospitals are exploiting and cheating on the patients. For example, ICU business.
Besides, the government has imposed 20-60 per cent duty on medical equipment which is one per cent for the RMG industry.
He proposed creating some good accommodations for the rural doctors, introducing general practitioner system, imposing high duty on salt, sugar, energy drink, bidi and cigarette for the improvement of the health sector.
Mr Muhith said there is no need to construct new roads except for maintenance and upgradation of the existing ones.
He also expressed concern over the success in attaining the targets of SDGs as inter-ministerial coordination will be the biggest problem for Bangladesh.
He said the allocation for local government will be increased. He is very satisfied with the present social safety net programme which has contributed to reducing extreme poverty.
Full report
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/03/31/65665/'Tuition-fees-to-go-up-fivefold'
Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Thursday tuition fees at public colleges and universities including medical colleges will be five times higher in the budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2017-18.
"Overall fees at public schools are low. But monthly tuition fee of Tk 12 and Tk 16 at those colleges and universities respectively is absurd," the minister said at a pre-budget discussion with the non-government organisations (NGOs).
His announcement came while reacting to the present tuition fee structures at public medical colleges and universities, which has been prevailing for the past 50 years.
Dr Zafrullah from Ganoshasthya Medical College Hospital urged the minister to increase tuition fees and other charges at public medical colleges and universities as many well-off students are studying there at such low cost which can be a great source of revenue earning for the government.
Talking to the journalists, the minister said when a student comes to a public institution he/she spends almost no money. On the other hand, they spend thousands of taka in private institutions and they don't bother.
Regarding the proposal for keeping the interns in rural areas for one year, Mr Muhith said it is the decision of the health ministry but he will certainly convey important points to the Prime Minister. He said it is not a big matter to keep separate allocation of Tk 1.0 billion for this purpose, if necessary.
In his proposal, Dr Zafrullah said Tk 900 million will be needed if the government wants to keep its 5,000 doctors in rural areas for additional one year.
Besides, Dr Zafrullah identified corruption and unequal behaviour of the government as the main obstacles to establish good governance in health sector. The five star hospitals are exploiting and cheating on the patients. For example, ICU business.
Besides, the government has imposed 20-60 per cent duty on medical equipment which is one per cent for the RMG industry.
He proposed creating some good accommodations for the rural doctors, introducing general practitioner system, imposing high duty on salt, sugar, energy drink, bidi and cigarette for the improvement of the health sector.
Mr Muhith said there is no need to construct new roads except for maintenance and upgradation of the existing ones.
He also expressed concern over the success in attaining the targets of SDGs as inter-ministerial coordination will be the biggest problem for Bangladesh.
He said the allocation for local government will be increased. He is very satisfied with the present social safety net programme which has contributed to reducing extreme poverty.
Full report
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/03/31/65665/'Tuition-fees-to-go-up-fivefold'
