Parents scramble with school costs despite cash aid

Dutiful: Lea Wati picking up her son Xavier Dennis Jackson from school in George Town, Penang. — K.T.GOH/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Even with the one-off schooling cash aid of RM150, most parents still need to fork out extra money to buy supplies for the new school term.

Single mother Saimah Mat Desa, who earns RM2,500 as a cleaner, said she could only afford a school bag and a pair of shoes with the financial aid.