Parents across Malaysia are using the Chinese New Year holiday and the Early Schooling Aid (BAP) to prepare for the new school term. The RM150 BAP payment provides significant relief, especially for low-income families. Parents and educators praise the initiative and urge the government to continue and potentially increase the funding.
Parents across Malaysia are gearing up for the new school term in 2025, making a flurry of preparations, particularly those sending their children to primary and secondary schools for the first time. The festive Chinese New Year holiday season and the recent disbursement of the Early Schooling Aid ( BAP ) have provided a boost to these preparations. Many parents are taking advantage of this period to stock up on school uniforms and supplies at supermarkets and retail stores.
While the RM150 BAP payment might seem modest, it offers significant financial relief, especially for families in the B40 income group. Yusof Hamzah, a 52-year-old plumber, shared how the BAP has helped his family manage the rising cost of living. Receiving the BAP for eight years, he has been able to save approximately 30 percent on his three children's school expenses. 'The BAP has been a tremendous help to our family, especially with the increasing cost of living each year. It has definitely alleviated some of the financial pressure associated with my children's education,' he said during a recent visit to a supermarket in Bandar Meru Raya. Yusof expressed his hope that the government would continue this initiative, ideally increasing the amount over time.Aisyah Taha, a 44-year-old housewife, echoed this sentiment, stating that the BAP initiative provides invaluable support, particularly for low-income families like hers. 'I am deeply grateful to the Madani government for this assistance, as it has made a real difference for us as parents,' she added. Azrul Hafiz Hamdan, a 35-year-old civil servant, viewed the continued BAP program as a testament to the government's commitment to education as a cornerstone for national development. 'Sustaining this initiative is crucial because investing in education is never a wasted effort. It is directed towards future human resources who will contribute to the progress of the country,' he emphasized. Introduced in 2012, the BAP aims to ease the financial burden on parents or guardians of students from Year 1 to Form 5. For the 2025/2026 school year, the program has been expanded to include Form 6 students. Payments began on January 13th. The distribution for Form 6 Semester 2 and Year 1 students in the 2025/2026 academic year will start on February 16th, while new Form 6 students will receive their payments on July 1st, 2025. The Madani government has allocated RM791 million for this one-off payment, benefiting over 5.2 million students, with each student receiving RM150. - Bernam
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