VAT on English medium schools’ fees illegal: HC

The High Court today declared illegal the 7.5 percent value added tax (VAT) on the English medium schools' tuition fees.

The imposition of the vat is discriminatory and contradictory to the constitution, the court said.

The VAT cannot be imposed on the English medium schools' tuition fees from January next year, it added.

Also Read: Bangladesh top court stays VAT on tuition fees for 6 months

The bench of Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury  and Justice Mozibur Rahman Miah delivered the verdict after hearing a writ petition filed challenging the legality of the VAT imposition.

The High Court on September 17 last year stayed for six months the collection of VAT on tuition fees of English medium school students.

The HC's decision came amid anti-VAT demonstrations by guardians, students and teachers of English medium schools in the capital.

In 2010, the government imposed 4.5 percent VAT on fees and services in English medium schools. In the budget for fiscal 2014-15, the VAT was raised to 7.5 percent.

However, there is no VAT on Bangla medium schools and government-approved English version schools that follow English textbooks published by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board.