Grabbing the stock: Noor Hidayatul Sakina helping Aaisyah Hannania try on the 99 sen white school shoes at a shop in Jalan Baru, Bukit Mertajam. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: While the price was certainly right at just 99 sen a pair, white school shoes were not a hot commodity at a popular supplies shop here.Furthermore, there were only about a dozen pairs for sale with limited sizes available.
Among those who decided to take up the offer was technician Noor Hidayatul Sakina Nor Ali, 31, who was shopping for her seven-year-old daughter Aaisyah Hannania Muhammad Arif.
“We already bought black shoes, but when I saw that the white school shoes were only 99 sen, I figured I might as well get them too,” she said.
Black shoes became part of the school uniform in 2019. From 2021, the Education Ministry allowed students to choose either black or white shoes.
“Ever since black shoes were allowed, parents have preferred them because they don’t look dirty as quickly.
“Hardly anyone wants to buy white school shoes, so we have been clearing our old stock at this super low price. We are glad that families on a tight budget can afford these new shoes,” said store manager Cheem Lean Kee.
From bags to tracksuit bottoms, parents are scurrying around for school supplies as the new school term begins tomorrow.
“For each child, I need to spend around RM200 on uniforms, stationery and shoes,” said clerk Muhamad Fakhrul Anuar Ishak, 50.“This does not include the cost of books and other items when school starts,” said the father of four.
Three of his children are still schooling. As such, he said he was glad for the government school aid of RM150 as he found that the items were getting pricier.
On Thursday, Muhamad Fakhrul was seen shopping for his 10- year-old son at a school supplies shop here.
Housewife and mother-of-four Nor Asma Mohd Asib, 33, said it would cost at least RM200 to get uniforms, shoes and stationery for her child.
For now, she said that she and her husband did not feel the financial burden of buying school supplies yet because only two of her kids have begun school.
“But overall, things are more expensive now. We need to know how to manage our cost.
“I am always on the look out for discounts. And buying pre-loved items is another option for me.”
