KAJANG: The Education Ministry will ask schools identified in cutting back early schooling aid (Bantuan Awal Persekolahan or BAP) to disburse the money to the affected parents.
Minister Fadhlina Sidek told the parents to lodge a report to the ministry to enable investigation to be carried out.
"If they (school children) received a reduced amount of BAP (from an allocation of RM150 for each student), their parents need to file a report.
"We will then conduct an investigation to ensure that they receive the full amount," she told reporters after attending the state-level Chinese New Year celebration and handling of the BAP cheque at SMJK Yu Hua today.
A parent had recently claimed to have only received RM50 from the school where their child was attending.
The deducted RM100 was allegedly as payment to the Parent-Teacher Association and cooperative.
When asked to comment on a father threatening a teacher for taking disciplinary action against his child caught smoking in the school compound, Fadhlina said the matter is being investigated by the police.
The 49-year-old man had since been arrested after the teacher lodged a police report.
LINK: https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/01/1007667/father-student-...
She said the Sabah Education Department had also taken necessary steps on the matter, without divulging further details.
On expensive school graduations held at hotels, Fadhlina said thorough discussion should be held between school administrations and parents before making such a decision.
"The ministry encourages schools (to organise) celebrations in moderation but make merry in showing appreciation to our children."
This was following a media report on actress Adrea Abdullah questioning schools organising graduation ceremonies at five-star hotels with payments between RM150 and RM200 for each student.
She said the headmaster had purposely chosen to hold such an event at a luxury hotel to show the school's status and ignored the dilemma faced by parents who had to spend up to RM500 for it.
