By Maryam Nasir
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 October 2021: The Ministry of Higher Education has agreed to increase the allowance rate for students with disabilities (OKU), Dewan Negara was told on Friday (8 October).
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad said the matter had been agreed upon by Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad on 26 Aug and it was waiting for the Finance Ministry’s agreement to be finalised.
“Firstly, the rate of pocket assistance from RM300 to RM500 per month. Secondly, increase the maximum rate from RM5,000 or RM20,000 per year to RM10,000 or RM40,000 per year throughout the study period covering tuition fees and pocket money.
“Together we pray that the rate increase that has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance to be finalised also we pray that this new rate is agreed by the Ministry of Finance and the government,” he said during the closing session of the Junjung Kasih Titah Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s Motion in the Dewan Negara today.
Ahmad Masrizal also said that all infrastructure and renovation projects in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) complied with the guidelines and rules for building planning issued by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in 2005.
He said the guidelines were also improved in 2015 with emphasis given to the provision of facilities for the disabled in the early stages of the design of the building such as a special entrance for the disabled from the first entrance to the entrance of the building.
“MOHE has already channeled development allocation 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 said.
The Senate session continues on Monday. ***