Education Minister Renu Kumari Yadav has said the government will come up with an alternative to the additional service tax levied on private educational institutions from this year.

Education minister Renu Kumari Yadav (L) speaking at the Reporters Club on Monday (Dec 15 08) said the government would come up with an alternative to the controversial education service tax. Representatives of private school organisations present at the programme said they would accept the alternatives to the tax, such as free seats to students from backward communities. nepalenws.com/tkb

Education minister Renu Kumari Yadav (L) …

Talking to reporters in Kathmandu Monday, Yadav said the government would decide on alternatives to the education service tax such as free education to certain number of students from unprivileged communities.

She said since the government’s intention was to support the children from financially backward communities to get education, private schools allotting free seats form unprivileged classes could be exempted of the tax.

She added the alternative would be taken to Finance Minister Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai and cabinet for further discussion and consideration.

Private and Boarding Schools Organisation (PABSON), National Private and Boarding Schools Organisation (NPABSON) and Organisation of Higher Secondary Schools have opposed the idea of education tax and demanded its immediate withdrawal and have warned of protest. nepalnews.com ia Dec 15 08