GOVERNMENT STUDYING MECHANISM FOR DISTRIBUTION OF "SEJAHTERA MADANI" ASSISTANCE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

KUCHING, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The government is studying new mechanisms for the distribution of educational assistance under the Kesejahteraan Rakyat Malaysia (Sejahtera MADANI) initiative, with a specific focus on secondary school students, including the possibility of structured financial support to help them prepare for higher education.

 Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the assistance, which targets students from poor and hardcore poor households, is still at the discussion stage and is expected to be implemented this year.

“Assistance for secondary school students is currently being refined, including the possibility of it being implemented in the form of in-kind support or education savings. The details will be finalised later.

“We will determine the most suitable approach as part of our efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty, particularly among those most in need,” he told reporters after officiating the 2026 Sarawak Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) distribution at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Petra Jaya here today.

Mustapha said the government is also considering collaboration with the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) to establish a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account for eligible secondary school students.

He said the initiative is aimed at helping students from low-income families prepare early for tertiary education.

Earlier, in his speech, Mustapha said RM370,000 had been allocated under the Sejahtera MADANI initiative for Phase One Education Assistance, benefiting 740 households registered as poor in the eKasih system.

He said the assistance would benefit 370 households each at the primary and secondary school levels, as part of efforts to meet the educational needs of low-income families.

“For primary school recipients, assistance is provided in the form of RM500 vouchers for the purchase of school uniforms and supplies. Assistance for secondary school students, which is still in the implementation phase, is also planned at the same value,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mustapha said the MADANI Government is also channelling approximately RM62 million in 2026 Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) to 413,380 students across 1,460 schools throughout Sarawak.

He said the RM150 BAP allocation for each student is intended to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians at the start of the school term, while ensuring the continuity of children’s education in the state.

-- BERNAMA