TEKANAN KEWANGAN DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR IPT SEMASA PANDEMIK COVID-19 DI MALAYSIA: TAHAP, FAKTOR DAN ISI RUMAH YANG TERKESAN

FINANCIAL STRESS AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MALAYSIA: LEVELS, FACTORS AND AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS

Abstract

Peluang melanjutkan pengajian ke peringkat Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT) merupakan impian kebanyakan pelajar. Namun, tempoh pengajian sering kali diiringi oleh cabaran kewangan yang besar, terutama bagi pelajar dari latar belakang keluarga yang berpendapatan rendah. Keadaan ini semakin memburuk dengan penularan wabak COVID-19, yang memaksa pelajar mengikuti pembelajaran dalam talian. Situasi ini telah mewujudkan keperluan baru dalam pengajian iaitu seperti peranti teknologi dan data internet yang menambahkan lagi beban kewangan yang sedia ada. Artikel ini membincangkan tahap tekanan kewangan, faktor-faktor penyumbang, dan cadangan untuk mengurangkan tekanan kewangan dalam kalangan pelajar IPT. Kaedah kajian kuantitif digunakan melalui soalan kaji selidik ke atas pelajar IPT di Malaysia. Sejumlah 567 data telah dikumpulkan dan dianalisa menggunakan analisis deskritif. Hasil kajian mendapati 50.1 peratus pelajar berada dalam tekanan kewangan.  Manakala faktor utama tekanan kewangan termasuk kos peranti teknologi dan kekurangan simpanan wang dan seramai 44.4 peratus pelajar tidak mempunyai simpanan sewaktu Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP). Dapatan kajian in boleh dijadikan rujukan bagi pelajar, ibu bapa dan Kerajaan dalam mendepani krisis kewangan pelajar agar Langkah yang lebih strategik dapat dilaksanakan.

The opportunity to pursue higher education is a dream for many students. However, the academic journey is often accompanied by significant financial challenges, particularly for those from low-income families. This situation worsened with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced students to transition to online learning. This shift created new financial demands, such as the need for technological devices and internet data, further exacerbating existing financial burdens. This article examines the level of financial stress, contributing factors, and recommendations to alleviate financial pressure among higher education students. A quantitative research approach was employed through a survey conducted among students in Malaysia. A total of 567 responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive analysis. The findings reveal that 50.1 percent of students experienced financial stress. The primary factors contributing to this issue include the cost of technological devices and a lack of financial savings, with 44.4 percent of students reporting no savings during the Movement Control Order (MCO). These findings serve as a valuable reference for students, parents, and the government in addressing financial crises among students, allowing for more strategic measures to be implemented.