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University students request that Mahapola funds be doubled to meet their needs
View(s):The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) has requested the Government to increase the Mahapola fund and pay the arrears.
On Friday, IUSF members met Education Ministry officials and handed over a letter calling on authorities to look into the issue.
IUSF Acting Convener Terence Rodrigo complained that the Government had not paid the Mahapola fund for around two years.
“Students who entered university in 2019 have only received Mahapola funds once. Students who entered in 2020 and 2021 have not even received confirmation of qualification for the Mahapola scheme yet,” he said.
He also said authorities had told them that since the Treasury had not released its part of the funding, the entire Mahapola bursary had not been paid.
Further, Mr. Rodrigo complained that the Mahapola fund which was Rs. 5000 was inadequate now due to rapidly increasing costs of living.
“Only food expenses for each month would cost Rs. 9000 at Rs. 300 for each day. University students have many other expenses such as transport and lodging as well,” he explained.
He said many students had taken to working part-time, which did not pay much, and some had even dropped out of university.
State Higher Education Minister Suren Raghavan said his appeal to the Trade Ministry, the Parliament and the Treasury was to at least increase the funds to Rs.10,000.
“Look at bus fares alone. There is a problem whether we can afford education anymore as well. Therefore, at such a time, students need more help,” Dr Raghavan added.
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