There are numerous reports published in recent days in social
medias and news broke in different levels of public environments with an
undesirable fact and phenomena (http://says.com/my/news/poor-malaysian-students,http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/to-survive-without-money-terengganu-undergrad-says-drinks-only-water-for-se, https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/325887) that, a big number of Malaysian students at the higher learning
institutions are unable to secure financial support from MARA, PTPTN, JPA and
or others public or private sponsors to support their education expenses and
daily necessities even basic foods. Because they do not have any financial
support from any organization either as a loan, scholarship or even aids.
Among those students, a small number is from wealthy families who
might have been supported by the families, another group is from average
families who might have been supported by families with very basic contributions
by having somehow hardship experience.
While the 3rd group is the big number who are from below the average
and or low income families who are even struggling to support their own
families in daily needs, but can one soundly been imagined to support the kids'
education at the tertiary levels?
Looking at this humanitarian phenomena, some people keep on with
endless criticism, attacks and worse predictions without giving right and
effective solution to the way out. Meaningless criticism with no alternatives
does neither bring any solution nor ease the crisis rather worsening the
situation with an unrepaired end.
Thus, following steps are recommended here in view of an effective
way out of the crisis, which shall be achieved based on the holistic spirit of
mutual cooperation, care and concern thus, shall effectively be ruled out with
result oriented execution by the respective authorities of the government.
Establishment & Management:
A special Tabung, fund or account shall
be established to manage a special education fund may be named: " Needy
Students' Fund (NSF)", which shall be managed by a GLC under the PM's
Department or MOE or Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Sources of the Fund:
It is neither
fair nor wise to shift every responsibility on the shoulder of the government.
The citizen in general must cooperate and contribute with wise ideas and
possible supports towards creating a dynamic nation. Thus, to achieve the goal
of true dynamism in the country, both the government and the citizen must
support each other within the spirit of cooperation for the common good.
Endless criticism and attacks with no solution on the other hand do not ensure
any significant result rather develop uncertainties in ruining the true
objective. However, the following sources of funds are suggested just
considering the fact of a national contribution towards creating a secured
futures for the needy students and their respective families through mutual
contribution, cooperation and generosity in helping hands.
· Part of the Zakat fund may be
taken out by justifying on the fact that, needy students fall within the meaning
of Asnaf al-Zakat (recipients of Zakat) as to Fuqara'
(needy) Masakeen (poor) and also Fi-Sabilillah (in the way of Allah
swt and or Seeking Knowledge).
· Structuring and duly Launching Sukuk
al-Waqf (charitable bonds) for needy students, which may be structured
on the basis of al-Tabarru' (donation) and to be manage on the basis of
the principles of al-Waqf. It shall be launched by inviting public (Shari'ah
recognized) at large to subscribe with
a minimum premium (per value) in view of helping the needy students with no
commercial return
· Structuring and launching an alternative to GST
just for helping the needy students of the country, may be named: NSF-GSD
(Goods, Services Donation) with an extra charge by 2% in each transaction.
· A generous contribution with 10% monthly salary
of every employee whose earning is RM 1, 500.00 and above monthly, which may be
continued for a period of one year only.
· 10% of the tax / Zakat / Fitrah
/ compounds / summons from all levels may be contributed to the NSF for a
period of 6-12 months only.
· Reducing of all business / executive trip
packages (cost) from all employees in the public and semi-public sectors to
economy class / standard for period of one year only and the proceeds (gap)
shall be payable to the NSF.
· Cutting off 25% of the entertainment allowances
may be exercised for a period of one year only from all employees in public and
semi-public sectors, and the proceeds shall be contributed to the NSF.
· A Week fund raising Campaign may be
organized nationwide in creating a special fund to help needy students of
Malaysia.
Additional
Alternatives:
· To
encourage students in group to establish and operate cash-base in-campus entrepreneurship
(small business). The institution or any bank may provide a minimum required
financing (soft-loan) to those students enabling the operation of such
entrepreneurship in view of supporting their education and daily needs.
· The institution may create Part-time job
opportunities in campus or off-campus for the needy students with a limitation
so that the education is not effected.
Long-term Plan:
· It shall be a mandatory rulings that, every
guardian shall (as per ability) subscribe a tertiary education insurance /
Takaful within 7 days of the birth of the child. Such policy is important to
ensure that, the future generation are not left behind the tertiary education
just because of no financial support.
It is thus,
submitted that, the above concern, thoughts and suggestions are recommended to
be tabled at the policy making levels and be strategized further in view of a
sustainable solution for the future back-bone of the country and duly execute
them as per the standard policies for the national benefit.
