Rising costs hit parents' pockets hard

Dealing with increased prices: Afiqah Ziela and her husband Syafiq Ali have witnessed the increase of school supplies first hand.

PETALING JAYA: Parents with children who are starting school in March are struggling with high costs and are hoping that the government will regulate the prices of educational necessities.

They are also calling for the RM150 Bantuan Awal Persekolahan programme cash aid to be handed out earlier, especially for first year students.