Students lament costly trip for nothing after last-minute UiTM directive
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students lamented having to foot costly trips back to their campus, only to be told at the last minute not to return.
This was after UiTM issued a circular on May 17 asking students not to return to campus as learning will be conducted virtually amid rising Covid-19 cases.
A student said his family had spent almost RM1,000 on the trip, only to find out about the new decision.
"I travelled all the way from Perlis to Selangor. My parents have spent...
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students lamented having to foot costly trips back to their campus, only to be told at the last minute not to return.
This was after UiTM issued a circular on May 17 asking students not to return to campus as learning will be conducted virtually amid rising Covid-19 cases.
A student said his family had spent almost RM1,000 on the trip, only to find out about the new decision.
"I travelled all the way from Perlis to Selangor. My parents have spent almost RM1,000 on goods, toll, fuel, hotel, etc.
"Suddenly, when we arrived in Selangor, UiTM released a statement saying there was no need to return," said Twitter user @AfzanFadzil.
He also shared a picture of his family vehicle filled with items for his use at the campus.
Similar complaints were also seen on UiTM's Facebook page, where it had uploaded the circular.
The circular said open and distance learning would be conducted until the end of the semester.
The university added that a combination of online and face-to-face learning would only be conducted if there was a pressing need.
It did not turn back students who arrived on campus but required them to do a daily health declaration.
However, it caused confusion among parents wondering if they had to take their children back.
"My child is already at UiTM. We only found out (about the circular) tonight. Do I need to take my child back?
"It's the second time we're experiencing this," said Joana Manap.
Others complained about the money they already spent prior to the last-minute announcement.
"It's really troublesome. There have been two postponements (to return to campus). A lot of money has been wasted and then it was postponed at the last minute," said Kamarazizi Candik.
Last month, the Higher Education Ministry announced that public varsity students should return to their campuses between May 15 and 20.
In contrast, the Education Ministry adopted a different strategy for schools, asking students to stay at home for e-learning after the Hari Raya season.
This was because the Education Ministry was worried that students could have become infected with Covid-19 during the Hari Raya season and bring the virus to school.
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