-The Star filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: The Early Schooling Aid payouts will now be distributed to parents physically and no longer involve cash transfers, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the RM150 cash aid will be distributed by teachers and at schools beginning next year.
“It will now be given to parents at schools and no longer transferred to their bank accounts. This aims to establish a good relationship between parents, schools and teachers,” he said when tabling the Supply Bill 2026, themed “Driving the Madani Economy: Empowering the People”, in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 10).
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, added that the aid has also been expanded to cover students until they reach Form 5, involving an allocation of RM180mil.
He also said RM870mil has been allocated for the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT), aimed at providing nutritious foods to 870,000 students.
Two new special education schools will also be built nationwide - SMK Pendidikan Khas Kota Damansara and SMK Pendidikan Khas Pasir Mas.
According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar on the Parliament’s website, the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 will be debated by MPs for eight days at the policy stage, followed by ministerial winding-up sessions from Oct 29 to Nov 4.
Debates at the committee stage will take place from Nov 5 to 27, after which it is expected to be passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
