Private schools stand against 14% VAT on private education

The protest against VAT on private education was, early on Thursday afternoon, given new life when demonstrators — parents of Guyana’s Private Schools United — picketed the Finance Ministry, demanding that Finance Minister Winston Jordan remove the burdensome tax on private education, implemented in February 2017, because it is penalising those who opt for private education.

“What you (the Finance Minister) are effectively doing is causing your society to depreciate in terms of the level and quality of individuals that you have,” one parent stressed. That parent also noted that he has had to take on additional employment to pay the increase in fees charged by private schools.

Attorney-at-Law Nadia Sagar, another parent, highlighted that the public school system would not be able to accommodate an influx of private school students, which is estimated to be well over 10,000.

“If you had to place those children in public schools, where would they go?” she asked,” adding, “So, rather than penalizing private schools, you really ought to be looking for ways to help them”.

Sixth Form School of the Nations students have complained of the challenges they are facing with the inclusion of VAT on their education. “If we can’t afford our education, how are we going to live?” questioned a first year sixth form student of that institution, who indicated that the protest would last for as long as it takes to reverse the imposition of VAT on private education.

“Some parents don’t even have like one child, they have like five children, and they just want the best for their children,” second year student Nandanie Deokarran highlighted.

School of the Nations Academic Director told the media that the group would protest until Government responds. It has been disclosed that more than 14,000 students had signed the petition against the imposition of VAT on private education.

“We’re willing to hold it up as long as it takes to get a response from the Government. At first it was Nations behind the petition, but now we’ve joined with all the private schools,” she disclosed.

Bishop Juan Edghill, who has a child enrolled in a private learning institution, spoke against Government’s decision to charge VAT on private education: “I stand in solidarity with all the other Guyanese parents and families who are feeling this hardship. Whether it’s at University, an upscale private school or regular private school, this imposition will have an adverse effect on all families,” the former Junior Finance Minister explained.

The arrogance that is being displayed — the insensitivity and the lack of care by the Granger Administration — must be highlighted,” he lamented.

Many of Thursday’s protestors have also supported the 8-week-long anti-parking meter protest. Another protest against the VAT measure is scheduled for next Wednesday. Earlier this month, businessman Roshan Khan had led a smaller protest that also called for the removal of the 14 percent tax on private education.