KUALA LUMPUR – The Higher Education Ministry has agreed to increase the allowance rate for students with disabilities, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad said the matter had been agreed to by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad on August 26 and was awaiting the Finance Ministry's approval.
“Firstly, the rate of allowance aid is to be raised from RM300 to RM500 per month. Secondly, the maximum rate from RM5,000 to RM20,000 per year will be increased to RM10,000 to RM40,000 per year throughout the study period, covering tuition fees and allowance.
“Together, we pray that the rate of increase submitted to the Finance Ministry will be finalised, and that this new rate is agreed by the Finance Ministry and government,” he said during the winding-up session on the motion of thanks for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s address at the Dewan Negara here today.
Masrizal said all infrastructure and renovation projects in public institutions of higher learning complied with the guidelines and rules for building planning issued by the Economic Planning Unit in 2005.
According to him, the guidelines were also fine-tuned in 2015, with emphasis given to the provision of facilities for the disabled in the early stages of the building’s design, such as the availability of special entrances for the disabled from the first entrance to the main entrance of the building.
“The ministry has channelled development allocations throughout 2015 to 2021 amounting to RM51.4 million to repair and provide special infrastructure for students with disabilities in public universities.
“This matter has also been emphasised in the 12th Malaysia Plan in the context of enabling the improvement of facilities for students with disabilities,” he added.
The Senate sitting continues on Monday. – Bernama, October 7, 2021
