Government criticised for not removing GCT on computer devices

 

The government is facing push back for its decision not to remove the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on tablet computers and related devices to make them more affordable for students engaged in online classes.

 

Education Minister Fayval Williams has said the wholesale removal of  the tax will not be financially feasible.

 

Instead, the focus will be on giving tablets to needy students.

 

However, John Mahfood, Vice President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), who is also the chairman of Whitfield Town Primary School in St. Andrew, argues that the government will not be able to supply all students with tablet computers. 

 

"You know, politicians can say whatever they want, including the Minister of Education, and that is not the reality. They did give computers, tablets the other day in our school. Of 150 students, we got 15. I think that's probably the experience throughout Jamaica. The ministry cannot afford to provide tablets to the entire country, and that's a fact, notwithstanding what they say. And it's unfortunate that they make statements to give people hope and it turns out that it's not true," he lamented while speaking Thursday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica.

 

The JMEA was one of several private sector organisations which called for the removal of GCT on the devices for at least two years.

 

Mr. Mahfood said while he understands the revenue loss if GCT on the devices is removed, the government's solution is not the best.   

 

"The least that they could do is say, OK, we will provide, we will bring in the computers or the smart phones for schools who can afford to buy them and what you would find is that PTAs and other organisations would help those schools to buy the tablets. The fact is there are about US$20 million worth of tablets and computers that are brought in annually. If they give up the GCT on that, that's about US$3 million that the country would lose on taxes. But they can't afford to provide tablets to the entire population, so let's find a solution," he suggested. 

 

 

 

Jasford Gabriel, President of the Jamaica Teacher's Association (JTA), has said the lobbying for the removal of GCT on computer devices for students is necessary as some of the most needy are still without the items.

 

He said the government must decide on its priorities. 

 

"If you ask me, it's greater priority than fixing some of the roads, right now. We must invest in the educational aspect and the capital in terms of our young people. Otherwise, we will end up with a lot more social issues - crime and violence - because these students out there who are not connected, trust me, they're finding other things to do and they are not necessarily things that are productive," he reasoned.