NIBONG TEBAL: The RM150 Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) for each student must be disbursed in full to parents without any deductions, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said any other payments, including Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) fees, must be settled separately and cannot be deducted from the BAP.
“The RM150 is allocated by the Madani government, specifically for school preparation and it must be handed over in full.
“If parents receive even 10sen less or are short by even a single sen, they must inform us because the assistance cannot be reduced,” she told reporters after attending the state-level Early Schooling Assistance 2026 cheque presentation ceremony at SMK Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah yesterday, Bernama reported.
Fadhlina said the government allocated more than RM800mil for the implementation of BAP this year, benefiting about 5.2 million students from Year One to Form Six.
So far, the distribution the BAP is going smoothly, with most parents collecting the aid during the first week of the school session.
She said that more than 10,000 schools nationwide were provided their BAP allocations for the immediate disbursement, which is expected to be completed by this week.
On a separate matter, Fadhlina said all stakeholders, including parents, are expected to sign the ministry’s Student Protection Policy at their respective schools by next week.
She said the policy addresses issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, abuse and students’ mental health.
On Monday, she reiterated the ministry’s commitment to tackling bullying in schools, saying that signing the document reflects a collective pledge to care for, nurture and protect students.
Meanwhile, Fadhlina also said the ministry will be investigating complaints from parents on alleged inconsistencies in the boarding school application system.
Earlier, she handed over BAP totalling more than RM34mil, benefiting over 227,000 primary and secondary school students in Penang.
