SMK Arau principal Normah Md Noh (left) looks on as some students toast bread at the Coffee Corner on the first day of the SPM 2022 examinations. - Photo: Bernama
ARAU: "Teacher, I am hungry... I want bread," were the words of a student that prompted SMK Arau guidance counsellor Effa Khairunisah Othman and other teachers to moot an initiative to provide bread daily to less fortunate school kids, the children of fishermen, before they begin classes.
Effa Khairunisah said initially she and the other teachers prepared bread and jam, and also provided a toaster in the counselling room so that they can give a meal to any student who was hungry and not able to buy food.
"During the daily recess time, these children will sit on the bench in front of the counselling room because they do not have the money to buy a meal and jokingly ask us for some food.
"It was then that I got the idea of providing slices of bread from the contributions of other teachers. This began in November last year," she told reporters here Monday (Feb 20).
She said she intends to provide a "Coffee Corner" for students to enable them to eat and have coffee before entering the classroom.
The school's principal, Norma Md Nor, said besides teachers, there were also parents who contributed money to make this noble cause a success.
SMK Arau stuudent Anutre Suchart, 17, toasting bread at the school's Coffee Corner. - Photo: Bernama
She said many students from B40 families come to school without having breakfast, and this effort is to ensure these students will be able to concentrate on their studies when in the classroom.
"At first, these students felt embarrassed, but now they are not shy to prepare the toast for themselves in the space provided
"For the duration of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, besides the toast, the school's Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) is donating lunch to SPM candidates so that they do not have to leave school during break time and can better focus on their papers," she said.
She said school authorities and the PIBG are planning to expand the Coffee Corner in the future by providing more toasters.
Meanwhile, Perlis Education director Naharudeen Othman said the department responded well to the initiative of the school and PIBG for their efforts to provide food to help less fortunate students.
"This is a good effort, but the food provided needs to be taken from the canteen operator and not from outside to maintain the quality and cleanliness of the food," he said. -Bernama
SMK Arau principal Normah Md Noh (left) with teachers Effa Khairunnisah Othman dan Arini Char Ng (right) at the school's coffee corner. - Photo: Bernama
