RM12.1m aid for 280,353 pupils
Published on: Friday, January 05, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Some 280,353 pupils from 1,071 primary schools in the State will receive school supplies aid from the State Government this year, said State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.She said under the project costing RM12.1 million, each Grade 1 to Grade 3 pupil would receive a set of school uniform, shoes, a dozen exercise books and a dozen pencils. As for Grade 4 to Grade 6, each pupil would receive a set of school uniform, shoes, a dozen exercise books, six pencils and a dozen pens.
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Jainab said her Ministry and other agencies, including the Education Ministry, would monitor and audit the contributed school supplies to ensure they follow the set standards and quality for the wellbeing of the students.She said she also planned to identify and overcome problems faced by some regarding the uniforms, as there were students who were supposed to receive blue uniforms but instead received dark grey uniforms.She said some also received uniforms with unsuitable sizes, resulting in their parents having to buy another set and some of the uniforms returned to the Government. "This year we will identify and solve the issues faced by these people so they are not burdened and can make use of the school uniforms and supplies provided.
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"We will also cooperate with assemblymen during our visits to distribute the aid to ensure the quality of the supplies are following the specifications set by the Government," she told the media at the Tun Fuad Stephens building, here, Thursday.Meanwhile, Jainab reiterated that consumers should be more prudent in their spending and manage their money carefully as some prioritise buying other items before their necessities.
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"I noticed some people prioritised buying items such as branded clothes, shoes or handbags before their necessities and complain about the rising prices of goods. They should buy their necessities first and then other items."Consumers should also practise the 3M principle – "Memilih" (Choosing shops that offer fair prices), "Memboikot" (Boycott shops that are not offering fair prices) and "Melapor" (Report with proof) – and make use of the 'Price Catcher' application," she said.She said the public can report unfair prices or other issues through the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK), Friends of KPDNKK WhatsApp or the tribunal to ensure that no traders are taking advantage of consumers by raising the price of goods needlessly.Jainab also reminded the public to make use of the "Price Catcher" mobile application – also available through the website www.pricecatcher.1pengguna.com – which allows consumers to browse and find shops with lower prices.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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