Govt. increases student allowance instead of slashing taxes on school supplies
In a context where a leading teachers' union has urged the government to provide relief to students by reducing the heavy tax burden on school supplies, the government has decided to merely increase the number of beneficiaries receiving financial assistance to obtain school supplies for children.
Last year, the government decided to provide a Rs. 6,000 allowance exclusively for Aswesuma beneficiaries to purchase school supplies for their children, with the program set to commence early this year. Expressing opposition to this move, the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) pointed out that, due to the government’s decision, many students who are desperately in need of assistance will not receive the intended relief.
"There are 4.3 million school students in Sri Lanka, but only a small number of them receive the Aswesuma relief. If this relief is provided only to Aswesuma beneficiaries, students who urgently need assistance may not receive it. The consistent request regarding school supplies has been for taxes to be reduced," the CTU emphasized.
During the Cabinet meeting, held on 6 January, 2025, and led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, permission was granted to extend the Rs. 6,000 allowance to children in families who do not receive Aswesuma benefits but are eligible for such assistance.
"The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has been tasked with providing this allowance to children belonging to families that do not receive Aswesuma relief, but who have lost parents, have a disabled mother or father, reside in an orphanage and are of school age, or have become helpless due to special circumstances.
However, Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasooriya told Parliament that there is no accurate data system to identify children belonging to families in the above-mentioned categories.
A statement issued by the government further noted that the proposal, submitted by the Prime Minister in her capacity as Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Minister, received Cabinet approval.
Considering the need for recommended stationery to be provided at the start of the 2025 school term, the proposal sought to offer the Rs. 6,000 allowance to students who do not belong to families receiving Aswesuma benefits. This includes students in 6,576 schools with less than 300 students, children attending school from child development centers, and both lay and religious students studying in Pirivena institutes. The allowance will be distributed via vouchers.
Last year, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin had pointed out that university students would also greatly benefit from the removal of heavy taxes on school supplies.
“If the tax on school supplies was reduced, it would provide great relief not only to school students but also to university students. There are educational materials required by the latter as well. The prices of these items have increased significantly, posing a serious burden on beneficiaries of the education system. Relief could be provided by paying special attention to the materials needed for education. Therefore, we request the government to immediately address this issue and take the necessary steps,” Stalin said.
Meanwhile, the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) staged a protest urging the government to remove the VAT imposed on school supplies as promised by the National People’s Power in its election manifesto.
On 8 January, 2025, the IUSF held this protest in front of the Fort Railway Station under the theme “Allocate 6% for Education, Allocate 3% via the 2025 Budget.” One of their key demands was the removal of the VAT and a reduction in the prices of school supplies, uniforms, and books.
