The RM150 Early Schooling Aid for 5.2 million pupils nationwide is expected to be fully distributed by schools by the end of this week
KUALA TERENGGANU: The RM150 Early Schooling Aid for all pupils nationwide should be fully disbursed by the weekend.
Deputy Director-General of Education Malaysia Zainal Abas said funds have been transferred to schools’ bank accounts for distribution.
“We have transferred the funds to the schools’ bank accounts,” he said after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Gong Tok Nasek.
He added that schools can start distributing the aid immediately, with the process expected to finish by week’s end.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the RM800 million allocation for the aid last Monday.
The one-off cash payment assists 5.2 million students from Year 1 to Form 6 with school-related expenses.
Zainal noted the aid was extended to Form Six students last year following their SPM-based admission.
Parent Khairul Nisa Ismail, 39, said the aid significantly helps families with multiple school-age children.
“I have two children in school, and this helps us purchase school supplies,” she stated.
Another parent, Nor Hakimah Baharuddin, 33, said the aid will be used to buy shoes and a school bag.
In a separate matter, Zainal said the ministry is addressing the issue of heavy school bags.
Measures include a structured timetable limiting daily lessons to three or four subjects.
“Each subject requires only one exercise book,” he explained.
He advised parents to ensure children only bring books needed for the next day’s subjects.
Academic learning will commence in the second week of the new term.
The first week is dedicated to student orientation, registration, and administrative tasks.
