Shaik Hussein (middle) with the recipients and their families during the Back-To-School Programme at Rafflesia Hall in Tasek Gelugor. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
RM150 aid brings relief to parents preparing their children for coming term
TWO hundred pupils from north Seberang Perai received cash vouchers worth RM150 each, during a Back-to-School programme in Kepala Batas, Penang.
Organised by Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) and its subsidiary company Perda Venture Incorporated at Midtown Tasek Gelugor, the programme aimed to aid parents from the B40 segment who were buying school essentials for their children.
Housewife Nur Baizura Ibrahim, 34, who lives in Lahar Yooi, said the cash voucher came at the right time as she was preparing her third child, Muhammad Uwais Rajaie Shafizan, six, to enter Year One.
“It is a relief as this cash voucher will cover his school expenses,” said Nur Baizura. She has two other school-going children, one in Year Six and another in Year Four, while her youngest child is two years old.
She said this was the first time her child received the aid. His name was proposed by the school for the programme.
Another parent, Siti Maimunah Ramli, 38, who has four children, said the cash voucher was a great help to cover basic back-to-school expenses amid rising living costs.
She said that with the new school term approaching, expenses such as uniforms, shoes, stationery and school bags placed significant financial pressure on low-income families.
“Such assistance in the form of cash vouchers, even if modest, provides much-needed relief and allows us to better plan our spending without having to rely on loans.”
She expressed hope that there would be similar initiatives in the future.
Siti Maimunah received the voucher on behalf of her son Muhammad Illias Naufal Hazmadi, who turns 10 this year.
Perda chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin said RM50,000 had been allocated for the initiative.
“The programme is the agency’s annual event to ensure that financial limitations will not be a problem for B40 families.”
Shaik Hussein said the 200 students were chosen from 18 schools and 27 villages in the district.
He said the cash vouchers offered parents greater flexibility to purchase school uniforms and essential supplies according to their children’s needs.
He said the assistance was aimed at boosting the pupils’ motivation and ensuring that no child was left out of the schooling system due to financial hardship.
Also present during the event were Perda deputy general manager Noor Hayati Ishak and Perda Venture Incorporated chief executive officer Noorkhaizan Mohd Noor.
