PTPTN TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION

By : JENNE LAJIUN

KOTA KINABALU: More students were able to pursue higher education following the introduction of the Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) in the country, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

He said the people should be grateful as the government had taken steps to allocate a huge allocation for the education sector, ranging from preschool to higher learning institutions through PTPTN, thus offering access to quality education.

Describing PTPTN as an alternative for students to support their higher education expenses, Musa said that before the fund was established, only 27,000 students nationwide were able to pursue higher education in the 1990s, but today, the number had swelled to 277,000.

“This shows the government is concerned about the people’s needs, be it the youths or students, especially parents who in the past, had to sell their land, house or borrow from banks to help realise their children’s dreams,” said Musaduring the presentation of advance PTPTN deposits to students at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah here yesterday.

Also present was UMS vice chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon.

At the event, a total of 1,265 students from the June 2012 intake received their advance PTPTN deposits amounting to RM1.8 million.

Musa added that the state government is grateful to the PTPTN for its efforts in ensuring efficient funding for the undergraduates who have been offered courses at higher learning institutions.

“This is in line with the government’s policy to ensure that each student would be able to enjoy quality education and pursue higher education.

“It is my hope that this advance payment, worth RM1,500 each, would be used prudently by the students,” he said.