PISMP students see their living allowance slashed

PETALING JAYA: For the first time from next year, fresh candidates for the four-year Bachelor of Teaching Degree Programme (PISMP) will not be getting any allowance except for transport for those who have to travel by air.
However, this batch of undergraduates will still receive a living expenses allowance of RM430 a month this year for PPISMP, or Preparation Course for PISMP.
The one-year PPISMP this year started on Monday.
According to a report in Oriental Daily News today, students who are already doing the PISMP will continue to receive living expenses allowance but the amount has been slashed to RM430 a month, from RM700 before.
The other allowances – RM840 a year for books; RM300 for thesis for the final semester; RM10 daily for practical; and maximum RM500 a year for air tickets – remain for current undergraduates.
According to the report, the announcement of the removal of all allowances (except for those who need to fly) for new PISMP undergraduates from next year was made during the briefing for PPISMP students early this week.
The freshies were told that if necessary, they could apply for a study loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
However, the government will continue to foot the tuition fees and provide free lodging for both PPISMP and PISMP students.
According to the briefing, the government has to cough up RM36,794 in tuition fees alone for every graduate churned out by teacher training institutes.