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Manickchand dubs Govt’s VAT on education policy “senseless”

April 18, 2017

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand has described Government’s decision to impose the Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education as “senseless and unimaginative”.

Manickchand told Guyana Times on Monday that the situation begged the question whether the David Granger-led Administration planned to stick with the promises it had made with respect to education.
Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, the “Because We Care” Education Grant was introduced to the public school system in 2014, while Manickchand was Minister.
The initiative saw parents receiving $10,000 for each public school student annually that aided the schooling of children at the nursery, primary and secondary levels. To be eligible, children had to be registered with a public school.
Manickchand recalled that when the then PPP/C Government had introduced this new initiative, not only did it receive popular support, but the then A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) Opposition parties had conceded that it was a sensible decision.During that period, both parties, according to her, had suggested to the PPP/C Government that they should also extend the grant to include children attending private educational institutions.
The then Government had expressed its willingness to consider the recommendation, on the basis that APNU and AFC felt that “private school students were poor”.
Manickchand told Guyana Times that the Government’s new position on VAT on education, therefore, highlighted the grave “vindictiveness” and “flip-flop” approach that were evident each day.
“So, one year before you came into office, you said private school students were poor and are deserving of cash grants, an omission we had made as a government. One year later, you come in, and tax the hell out of them and their parents,” she noted.
The former Education Minister said it was “really sad” that parents were now being forced to consider how they would meet the monthly or termly school fees, in addition to surviving the increased taxation implemented by the new Government.
She said, “The average schoolchild (private school) has to pay $25,000 more in school fees. That is 50 lunches they are taking out of that child’s lunch kit. To do what? To fund extravagance by the Government? Travelling, travelling with large delegations. I mean, if we can cut back on that, then we can give our children the education that the Government said when they were campaigning.”
Manickchand continued, “It is really quite a shame. It is unnecessary. It is almost a punishment to the parents (and children) who want to do better for their children, so that these children can do better for Guyana.”
Although the policy has received widespread condemnation, Government remains firm on keeping the 14 per cent VAT that was applied to private education effective February 1, 2017.
Cabinet has taken the decision that the VAT on education will remain for the rest of 2017; however, during its 2018 budget planning, a review of the VAT regime would be done.
The PPP/C has made it clear that if it was reelected to office in 2020, it would reverse this and other policies it deemed unnecessary that were imposed on Guyanese by the coalition Government.

http://guyanatimesgy.com/manic...on-policy-senseless/

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Former Member

Girl, show them diplomacy and cuss them out like you did with the Ambassador.

4/18/179:30 AM

Bibi HaniffaGNI Queen

What did she say to the Ambassador?

4/18/179:31 AM

Former Member

Bibi Haniffa posted:
What did she say to the Ambassador?

He ate one too many McDonald's cheeseburgers.He also looked like a gay boy.

4/18/1710:26 AM

NehruBig Mouth Member

THe socalled Ambassador thought he was Massa and our dear Priya was his Slave, but he got it good from her!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/18/1710:27 AM

Former Member

Nehru posted:
THe socalled Ambassador thought he was Massa and our dear Priya was his Slave, but he got it good from her!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree. However, we should put some of the blame on Obama for sending this "food tray" to Guyana.

4/18/1710:32 AM

Former Member

From my observation tower here near the North Pole, I am convinced the APNU+AFC administration's performance has exceeded expectations in one regard, ie, it has over-supplied the PPP with juicy propaganda points. What else could an opposition party wish for? De VAT ting fall right in Priya lap, no sweat.

4/18/1711:20 AM

NehruBig Mouth Member

Propaganda?? Nah, pure and undiluted CRAP. Those people are not capable of running a Bodega!!!!!!!!!!

4/18/1711:25 AM

Former Member

AFC/PNC and their leader Grainjaw:

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4/18/172:10 PM

Former Member

Gilbakka posted:
From my observation tower here near the North Pole, I am convinced the APNU+AFC administration's performance has exceeded expectations in one regard, ie, it has over-supplied the PPP with juicy propaganda points. What else could an opposition party wish for? De VAT ting fall right in Priya lap, no sweat.

Now you pull yourself clean out of the story, we haven't forgotten that you were one of the most vocal supporters of jackass Granger and his gang of crooks. You should worry about government spreading propaganda rather than the ppp.

4/18/173:22 PM

Former Member

Drugb posted:
Gilbakka posted:
From my observation tower here near the North Pole, I am convinced the APNU+AFC administration's performance has exceeded expectations in one regard, ie, it has over-supplied the PPP with juicy propaganda points. What else could an opposition party wish for? De VAT ting fall right in Priya lap, no sweat.
Now you pull yourself clean out of the story, we haven't forgotten that you were one of the most vocal supporters of jackass Granger and his gang of crooks. You should worry about government spreading propaganda rather than the ppp.

Same thing dem boys seh. Drugb would torment a dry mango leaf lying in the shade. Don't scratch out my name from your Log of Sinners. Take it with you to your grave and torment your restless bones.

4/18/179:19 PM

Former Member

Are you calling Dr Rupert Roopnarine, QC scholar a dunce. That is not accurate brother. In 1970 he was awarded a scholarship to Cornell University, New York, where he obtained an MA and PhD in Comparative Literature. From 1976 to 1996, he has worked as a university lecturer in the UK, Canada, the US and at the University of Guyana.

Give jack his jacket, please.

He might be LAZY, but he is no dunce.

4/20/175:41 AM

Former Member

Gilbakka posted:
Same thing dem boys seh. Drugb would torment a dry mango leaf lying in the shade. Don't scratch out my name from your Log of Sinners. Take it with you to your grave and torment your restless bones.

Your past will follows you around, even beyond the grave. You help put these jackasses in power and will be held accountable on your day of reckoning.

4/20/176:46 AM

Former Member

Drugb posted:
Gilbakka posted:
Same thing dem boys seh. Drugb would torment a dry mango leaf lying in the shade. Don't scratch out my name from your Log of Sinners. Take it with you to your grave and torment your restless bones.
Your past will follows you around, even beyond the grave. You help put these jackasses in power and will be held accountable on your day of reckoning.

Thank you, God Drugb. Gilly accepts your judgement.

4/20/178:34 AM

PrashadSenior Member

This jranger anti-koolie government is about how much money you can get out of the system

4/20/178:36 AM

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Manickchand dubs Govt’s VAT on education policy “senseless”

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand has described Government’s decision to impose the Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education as “senseless and unimaginative”.

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