2021 Budget: 'More monetary aid would have helped'

 

Some university students felt the government should have channeled more funds as students faced more challenges amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. -NSTP/HALIMATON SAADIAH SULAIMAN.

KUALA LUMPUR: University students are pleased with the initiatives introduced in the 2021 Budget today.

However, some felt the government should have channeled more funds as students faced more challenges amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kesatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya (KMUM) president, Muhammad Haziq Azfar Ishak, 22, was happy to see that the government provided initiatives to help students cope with online classes.

"It is a good initiative for university students. We are hoping for the best implementation.

"However, on the universities' part, we hope they can keep track of the students who are facing issues in following online classes, and to attend to the groups accordingly.

"By doing that, we can help achieve the main aim of the specific allocation in the budget for university students," he said when contacted today.

Haziq hoped for the government to increase the age eligibility for the RM50 one-off monetary aid to be credited into the e-wallet accounts of youths which was announced for those between the ages of 18 and 20.

"It's better to increase the age range so that those who are above 25 can also benefit.

"Apart from crediting into their e-wallets, I hope the government can look into giving cash aid for students.

"We need this because all students are at home and we can't access a physical library at the moment. We need money to buy books and other learning materials."

Haziq said some university students felt disappointed over a lack of allocation for university students in the 2021 Budget.

"There were a lot of expectations from students, but we ended up disappointed as there are not many handouts for them," he said.

Nur Sofiya Zaharin, 24, felt that the government's move to provide allocation for better internet access is much needed.

"Especially with the current number of Covid-19 cases, students may have to undergo online learning until next year.

"Most students are not privileged enough to have stable internet connection, even in urban areas. I hope the scheme will be distributed properly to the students who need it the most," said the Universiti Malaya student, who described the 2021 Budget as inclusive and comprehensive.

However, Nur Sofiya echoed Haziq's sentiment for monetary aid to be given to university students.

She said assistance could be similar to the RM250 book vouchers that was given in the past, or to increase more scholarship programmes.

For Eva Elayna Sapoi, 22, the government should allocate more budget towards students' expenses.

The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak student said the government should allocate more cash aid to be credited into their e-wallet accounts, instead of just giving RM50.

"There have been some incentives provided for students in the past national budgets.

"It might be better to give more monetary aid to the students themselves as we are now currently undergoing open and distance learning (ODL)," she said. - NST