NABAWAN: A total of 800 primary and secondary school students received free haircut services through the ‘Back to School 2025’ programme organised by the Youth, Women, and Beliawanis Movement of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Nabawan Division.
Its Youth Chief, Ag Azuan Pg Hamzah, said the programme was carried out in collaboration with two barbershops in the district over two days, from March 15 to 16, operating from 8am to 5pm.
He said the initiative aimed to ease the financial burden on parents as their children return to school after the holidays. “At the very least, we can help parents who are struggling financially when their children go back to school.
“Imagine parents with three school-going children; they would need extra expenses for other school necessities. So, we are doing our part by helping in terms of haircuts,” he said after officiating the programme on Saturday.
According to Azuan, this programme has been implemented for five consecutive years. He said the division’s Youth Movement carries out this initiative annually before the school term begins, specifically for students in the district.
For this year, Azuan said several other youth programmes have been planned as part of their community service efforts in the district.
Meanwhile, several parents interviewed expressed their appreciation for the programme, noting that it helps lessen the burden, especially for those who lack the skills to cut their children’s hair.
“With this programme, it helps parents, particularly those with many dependants,” they said. They also hoped that similar student-focused assistance programmes would continue in the future, as they bring significant benefits to schoolchildren.
