A GROUP of persons on Thursday mounted a protest in front of the Ministry of Finance calling for the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private tuition fees to be rescinded.
The group, which has held several smaller protests in the past in support of their position, had submitted to the Government a petition against “VAT on education” signed by 14,000 persons.
Students, teachers, parents and members of civil society braved the mid-morning sun as they turned out again yesterday to voice their concern in a “silent protest”.Most of them displayed placards reading “No to 14% Vat on education” and “Welcome the movement against VAT on education.”
“The majority of students attending private educational institutions in Guyana are from humble backgrounds and can only attend these places of learning as a result of the sacrifice of family members,” one of the protestors,Andy Singh,told Guyana Chronicle.
Some of the protestors say they have children who attend private educational institutions and the VAT on education is a “burden” that is too much for them to handle.
Asked whether they intend to continue the protest action, many said it will go on until their efforts bear success.
President David Granger has said that the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private institutions will stay for now.
As of February 1, 2017, private education institutions are required to pay a 14 per cent VAT as a result of the removal of certain zero-rated items in the 2017 budget.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said of some 57 private institutions in Guyana, only eight are tax compliant.