Dear Editor,
I HAVE read a letter by WP Jeffrey (GT 21/4/17) claiming that he was at the National Cultural Centre when a Government team held a consultation with owners of private schools, some parents and students.
Jeffrey, who put his designation as “Pastor” said he HEARD the Prime Minister say that “the Government will NOT review the VAT on private tuition for 2017.”
I was there! The prime minister NEVER said that. What I heard him say is that he (PM) could not “definitively say whether VAT would be reviewed for 2017”, but that there is a possibility of this being done for 2018. The “Pastor” has distorted what the Honourable Prime Minister said. Shouldn’t he apologise? I heard the PM say that the VAT on private tuition fees was “unpopular” and that it has caused “unease” and that it should be reviewed.
He also explained that the tax was NOT introduced to bring oppression on the people, but to raise much- needed revenues. That was, to me, a fair argument. He was explaining why it was introduced, not defending it. He NEVER said that the tax was “justifiable”, as the “Pastor” claimed. I have also read an article written by our PM that states that a “clear case” has been made out for a “review or reversal” of the VAT on private tuition fees. I wonder whether the goodly “Pastor” read this article? It is clear that the PM was sympathetic to the plight of both parents and students, but he couldn’t speak for Cabinet.
My feeling is that the tax will be lifted once the Government finds alternative sources of revenue, but since this year is far gone, the reversal or withdrawal will take effect from January 2018 – a few months from now.
Regards
Earl Hamilton