The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is calling on the government to abandon the policy of taxation on private school fees.
According to a FITUG press release, FITUG, stands with the Guyana’s Private Schools United movement and urges a reconsideration of the taxation, especially in light of multiple tax measures which are to be borne by the people and the effects it has on the living standards of working people. Moreover, according to the release, the massive tax revenues amassed would strengthen the call to revisit this matter with a view to rescind the tax.
It is the Federation’s view that the privately-run schools play a positive role in the education system by supplementing the national public school system, which experiences in instances, certain strains and inadequacies, the release stated.
According to the release, the measure has coincided with the massive hike in the University of Guyana tuition fees, which will almost certainly lead to denying many youngsters the opportunity of tertiary education. With the reduction of job opportunities arising from the deteriorating economic circumstances and now a high cost of education, the future for many youths, especially those from poor backgrounds, seems bleak at this time, the release stated.
FITUG urged the government to take into account the adverse effects that these measures can have on national development now and in the future.
