Parents spend more to put children in school
Published on: Wednesday, January 14, 2015
KOTA KINABALU: There were more expenses incurred by parents this year in preparing their young charges for the start of the school year.Mohd Zaki Mustafa, 38, said school expenses were slightly higher compared to last year and said it was to be expected because his son has grown bigger. "He needs bigger shoes and of course new uniforms," he said, adding that it would be great if the Government could assist with more books and nutritious food for school children.
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Another parent, 30-year-old Roslinah Abdullah said school expenses have slightly increased this year. She has two children studying in primary school. "I have one in Primary Two and the other in Primary One, and this is much better because they can look out for each other since they study in the same school," she said.She found the higher expenses still affordable but that it was quite difficult to find uniforms of good quality sold at cheap prices. Self-employed Munir Bidin, 30, said assistance from the Government would be very much appreciated. "We are grateful for the free books, milk and scholarships," he said, and estimated his expenses this year to be RM300 for his Primary One daughter alone.
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In Penampang's SK Kibabaig, parent Conrad Tsen, 47, who sent his Primary One and Primary Two children to the school said the cost of school uniforms and stationery was expensive and could reach up to RM500 for both his children.Matunggong Parents had their burden of preparing for the new school term lessened through the back-to-school programme organised by Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) division.
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The programme which started on Jan. 1 and ended on Sunday at Kg Mompilis benefited 156 school children.PBRS Matunggong Chief, Richard Kastum said the programme that was carried out by the division's Youth movement led by its chief, Elik Asun, aimed at assisting parents in terms of reducing cost and giving more confidence to the children to face the new term.Richard also hoped social service programmes as well as voluntarism spirit such as in this particular programme could be further enhanced, especially among youths in order to further strengthen unity and prosperity in the district.In this programe, the school children received schooling material from Richard while members from the division's youth and women movement .A Tawau mother of four, Sarina Badrun, said she was thankful that the new school session was postponed by a week from the original schedule following the floods in the East Coast of Sabah.The postponement, she said, gave her the opportunity to prepare for her children's basic school needs."We managed to keep some money for my children's school expenses," she said, adding she spent some RM500 to purchase school essentials for her children.She hoped the Government would take creative and proactive steps to assist parents nationwide reduce their burden especially those with big families.Siti Misnah Mohammad said the rise in the price of school utensils and essentials was not really apparent because she purchased them in bulk rather than per item."The price increase is between 20 sen and 50 sen. So, it is not really obvious," she said. According to the housewife, she spent RM220 this year on school essentials for her child compared to RM200 last year.She and her husband made early preparation for their Year Six son who attends school at SK Merotai Besar."But if the RM100 Early School Special Aid could be increased to RM200, this will greatly ease the burden of the parents because as you know, the price of school essentials keep rising every year," she said.Suzan Wong whose daughter attended preschool at Siew Ching Kingdergarten in Lahad Datu, spent about RM450 for school preparation and school fee for her daughter.She said although it takes too much cost on the school preparation and school fee, preschool is important in order to introduce the children to school environment so that they will be prepared for school session on the next year.A mother of four, with three of them attending school this year, Mimie Azel, said she spent about RM150 for each children only for uniforms, books, stationary and others.She said the price increased compared to last year and only have two children in school."Two of my son went to primary school this year while their sister entered the preschool this year. The cost for school preparation have increased also due to the prices of goods," she said. In Ranau, Dianty Fabian said expenses for registering her child at the kindergarten was beyond expectation."We did not expect that enrolment to a kindergarten will reach twice than a couple of hundred Ringgit, considering that it is for little children. But as a parent of a first born child who just beginning schooling, this is a responsibility we need to bear," she said.Another parent, Norreen Chin said the school expenses were quite heavy but bearable, because apart from coming through for the registration fees, parents have to buy other equipment like shoes and school bag. "Nevertheless, we are very excited that our child is finally entering her education process and meeting up with new friends. It is satisfying. It felt like all the expenses we put out was worth it," she said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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