Speakers urge for not to impose tax on private universities

Speakers from a discussion urged the government for not imposing any tax on the private universities which have already struggling to survive amid the covid-19 pandemic.

Proposal of 15 percent income tax on private universities in the budget of 2021-22 FY will create extra burden on the students as it has created concern among all stakeholders, they said

They also emphasized for increasing budgetary allocation and proper monitoring and implementation of the allocation in the education sector.

The speakers came up with the remarks while addressing at a webinar on Wednesday night arranged by the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities at Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) on ‘Post Budget (FY 2021-22) Discussion: Education Sector in Focus’.

Addressing as chief gust, former Advisor to caretaker government Rasheda K. Choudhury said the policymakers failed to understand the impact of the pandemic on education sector as the sector did not get priority like others sectors.

The educationist suggested the universities to come up with evidence-based research to show the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the education sector.

IUB Pro-VC Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Dean Professor Dr. Taiabur Rahman and Dhaka University Development Studies department Professor Dr. Mohammad Abu Eusuf also participated among others at the event.

The presentation highlighted the consequences of pandemic, Bangladesh Government’s responses to the crisis, and education sector in ADP allocation, poverty and education.

Apart from this, design of an immediate recovery plans to salvage higher education sector by enhancing ICT support to students of public university was presented at the event.

Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan called attention to the need for proper policies and budget allocation to address the issue of inequality for the education sector.

Sharmeen Ahmed, Acting Head of the IUB’s Department of Social Science and Humanities delivered the inaugural speech and moderated the programme.

Prof. Taiabur Rahman stressed the need for an immediate recovery plan for the education sector and also accented various exemplary measures taken by private universities including scholarship, reduction of tuition fees, and support for online classes.