Kuala Lampur, Feb. 9 -- The announcement of free education for students with disabilities in the Higher Education Plan 2026-2035 should be welcomed as a bold and principled move. It signifies a clear recognition that higher education is no longer a limited privilege, but a right that must be enjoyed by all citizens regardless of physical, sensory, learning, or mental health conditions. However, as we celebrate this policy, a more strategic question must be addressed: how can free education be translated into a meaningful learning experience and ultimately generate a tangible return on investment (ROI) for the nation?

International experience shows that the removal of tuition fees does indeed increase the enrolment of students with disabi...