A last-minute decision to postpone the registration and orientation process for new public university students has sparked an outpouring of anger and frustration as many students have already arrived at their campuses and are now stranded.
The Higher Education Ministry yesterday announced that it was recommending public universities to postpone any physical registration in favour of an online process amid a resurgence of Covid-19 outbreaks. The same applies to classes for new and old students alike.
"For students who have already arrived and are engaging in academic activities, they may remain on their respective campuses. Public universities are asked to assist the needs of students who need help," it said in a statement yesterday.
However, not all arriving students live on campus and now have to make the journey home.
Many of the students expressed their frustration on Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad's Facebook page.
"Why does (the ministry) like to make last-minute and U-turn statements that cause hardship to students? Do you know how much money parents and students have to spend?" said Abraham Amin.
"Only found out after arriving in Johor from Kelantan. Pity us, we've prepared everything. A lot of money was spent... Think of our feelings as parents," said Noorizwanie Jamil.
"Don't be so stupid, this is not the first time that you guys caused trouble to many students and parents with a last-minute announcement," said Hani Abd Latif.
The abrupt announcement has prompted a scramble by several political parties to provide financial aid to students who need to return home.
Muda, an upcoming youth-based party, raised more than RM50,000 to assist the stranded students.
"Muda is aware of the problems faced by students due to the late announcement by the Higher Education Ministry which lacked procedure.
"Muda shares the frustration of everyone who needs help," it said when launching a fundraising campaign to help the stranded students.
It hit its fundraising target within three hours.
"The payment process to students who need the contributions will begin tomorrow. We will share how the contributions are distributed. Thank you," the party added.
Bersatu sets up task force
Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth announced a task force to identify students in need help.
"This task force reports directly to Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and will identify and channel aid to stranded students by providing food and other aids," said the wing's education bureau chief Muhammad Zikri Zulkifli and welfare bureau chief Firdaus Rashid in a joint statement.
It provided a list of contact persons in every state for stranded students to reach out for help.
Meanwhile, several DAP elected representatives including Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei, Dusun Tua assemblyperson Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim are also offering aid to stranded students.
DAP Youth chief Howard Lee in a statement, said it was committed to assist the affected students and also cooperate with Bersatu Youth for this purpose.
However, he nudged Bersatu Youth, as the wing of a governing party, to take the matter up directly with the Higher Education Ministry.
“Shouldn't the ministers and deputy ministers in Bersatu raise the issue in the cabinet so that it can be resolved using the machinery of the Higher Education Ministry, Education Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry, Welfare Department and any government agencies that can do so?
"If the government has to rely on party machinery to resolve a policy or implementation failure by the government, does it not mean that both the government and parties have failed?" Lee said.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal is also the deputy youth and sports minister.
Award-winning author Hanna Alkaf, who is behind the #KitaJagaKita campaign which compiled various community-based aid initiatives during the movement control order (MCO), said she will also be compiling a similar list to help students.
"We see what's happening with #SiswaJagaSiswa and #KitaJagaKita will be compiling and verifying listings today just to make sure you have a list of trusted sources," she said on Twitter.
This is not the first time the Higher Education Ministry has left students in a pickle.
In March, confused directives between the Higher Education Ministry and the National Security Council prompted a rush by students to return home as they were told by their campuses to leave ahead of a Covid-19 lockdown.
The Higher Education Ministry later walked back on the decision and allowed students to remain on campus. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.