Opposition submits motion to revoke VAT on education
… parents expect AFC’s support
Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), on Wednesday submitted a motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly calling for the revocation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on Education as parents continue to protest the tax imposition.
The motion will come up for debate at the May 8 sitting of the National Assembly and is being moved by former Education Minister Priya Manickchand. In the motion, Manickchand calls for the immediate revocation of the 14 per cent tax imposition on private education.
Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill standing in solidarity with the protesting parents
The motion stated that impact of the onerous budgetary measures has caused great consternation and anxiety for parents and students and the future of students’ rights to access education of their choice, inclusive of private education, as provided for in the Constitution.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his 2017 Budget speech had announced the reduction of VAT from 16 per cent to 14 per cent but stated that the tax base needed to be broadened to cover the expenditure. In what was described as an ‘uncaring’ move, the Minister announced that private education and educational services would be subjected to VAT.
This caused widespread protest, from parents with children accessing private education.
On Wednesday parents continued their protest against the Government in front of the Ministry of the Presidency and were joined by Opposition MP and former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill.
Parents also protested at AFC Headquarters on Monday, and spoke to several senior officials who promised their support.
“Hopefully they (AFC) will convince the Government to remove the VAT. The AFC party has come out and say they are against the VAT on education but that is separate from the Government,” Jonathan Yearwood said.
“The PPP have said publicly that they are trying to get a motion in Parliament on the 8th (of May) and we are hoping that we give the AFC enough time for them to collectively made a decision to convince the Government to remove the VAT because if the PPP wins the motion, it is a political victory for the PPP,” he added.
Another parent, Samantha Sanchara, explained that she is finding it difficult to keep up with the payments for her child at a private school since she has to pay an additional $8400 for VAT.
The AFC will be put to the test when the motion comes up for debate in the National Assembly since they have since signalled their support for the parents’ plight.
