A TOTAL of 57,149 students from 96 schools in North Seberang Perai (SPU) district will receive RM150 each under the nationwide Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) programme as the new school year begins.
RM8.57 million has been allocated for SPU students, who will each receive a one-off cash payment to support school expenses.
The cash assistance handover ceremony for SK Bagan Jermal students was held today, in the presence of Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng.
Also joining Lim were Penang State Education Department deputy director (school management sector) Yusof Sahari, SPU chief education officer Abd Rahman Mohamad, Bagan Jermal assemblyman Chee Yeeh Keen as well as parents and other dignitaries.
Lim expressed hope that the assistance, an initiative by the Ministry of Education (MoE), would provide relief to parents and guardians by easing their financial burden.
Apart from that, Lim highlighted the importance of providing high-quality school infrastructure that meets standards to support effective learning
Meanwhile, Yusof shared that, MoE provides a total of 18 types of school assistance, including BAP, which benefits students from Year One to Form Four. He added that the assistance would be disbursed within 30 days to all schools.
He stressed that schools must ensure the RM150 one-off assistance is paid in full and in cash, with no deductions allowed under any circumstances.
However, he noted that should parents voluntarily choose to use the money to settle outstanding school-related fees, it would be a personal decision.
Yusof also encouraged parents to use the assistance prudently to support their children’s learning needs.
He added that parents who require further support may inquire with schools about the other 17 assistance programmes available under the ministry.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi