School fee hike

According to the news, school fees of polytechnics and ITEs will be increased when the new academic year begins in April to "sharpen the distinction between citizens and non-citizens" as claimed by The Straits Times

Singaporeans taking polytechnic courses will have their fees upped by fifty dollars a year while those in Nitec and Higher Nitec courses will pay an additional ten dollars a year

On the other hand, PRs studying in polytechnics will have to fork out between $480 and $800 more while international students will need to pay up to a thousand dollars more

The institutions have assured that there will be adequate financial assistance to make sure that everyone has a right to pursue an education

Mathematically, it looks as though the big losers are the Cheenas, Jakars and Indies. However, if one can see the big picture, it is just another move by the government to attract foreigners to become citizens

Break down the $480-$800 a year into days and it will equal to just about a couple of dollars a day which is not a justifiable amount to differentiate locals and foreigners

Moreover, the institutions are making use of this opportunity to earn more. If there really is a need for differentiating, then why adjust the fees of Singaporeans? Just leave it as status quo and increase those of PRs and foreigners

Come this April, Singaporeans will indirectly be "sponsoring" the foreigners' scholarships and financial assistance schemes. Even before this lousy tactic by the government, there are already bursaries dedicated solely for foreign students so they need not worry about this latest news

Our government has always come up with ploys like these. They don't solve problems or satisfy the citizens

Fellow Singaporeans, we are the real losers!