LUMUT: The Higher Education Ministry will announce new tuition fee rates at public higher learning institutes for student from high-income families.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said this follows the government's announcement in the 2025 Budget to reduce education subsidies for those from the top 15 per cent income group.
He said implementation of any new policy for tuition fees at public higher learning institutes take various factors into account because it is not solely about family income.
He said this must be done to ensure that the tuition fees do not burden on any quarter.
"When we implement such a thing, those from higher incomes should not receive services (such as tuition fee reductions) to the same extent (as those from the poor).
"However, we are also taking into account income segmentation, particularly in terms of the number of family members and overall income levels.
"We will announce this later, including how many people will be affected, as the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, reminded us not to apply a one-size-fits-all policy without considering individual backgrounds," Zambry told reporters after a 'Meet the Health Experts' community service programme organised by Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) here today.
Zambry added that the ministry, together with other related ministries, will further refine the criteria for eligibility under any new policy for public varsity tuition fees.
He added that the reduction of education subsidies is expected to only affect new students enrolling next year. He said the ministry has obtain the necessary data and estimations on the matter, and the official announcement has yet to be made.
During the tabling of the 2025 Budget yesterday, Anwar had said that a reduction of education subsidies for the top 15 per cent income group would allow funds to be channeled into the upgrading and rehabilitation of facilities at Fully-Residential Schools (SBP) and Public Higher Education Institutes (IPTA) which will benefit all students.
He also said that the government was planning to impose a slight increase in tuition fees for students from top 15 income bracket for entry into SBP, science secondary schools and public higher education institutes.