BAP IS PROOF OF GOVT'S COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING EDUCATION - RAMANAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20  (Bernama) -- The continuous increase in Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) allocations reflects the MADANI Government’s commitment to strengthening education and ensuring that no student drops out due to financial constraints, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

In a Facebook post today, he said the BAP initiative, implemented through the Ministry of Education since 2023 with an allocation of RM765 million, benefited 5.1 million students nationwide in its first year.

The Sungai Buloh Member of Parliament said the allocation increased to RM788 million in 2024 and RM791 million in 2025.

For 2026, the government has further expanded the initiative, with an expected allocation of RM800 million to benefit more than 5.2 million recipients, including Form Six students, he added.

According to Ramanan, the consistent rise in funding is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s aspiration to ensure that no Malaysian child is forced to leave school due to financial hardship.

“Beginning Jan 11, BAP assistance of RM150 will be distributed in stages to all Malaysian students, regardless of race, religion, school stream or family background.

“I hope parents and guardians will make full use of this assistance by planning carefully to meet their children’s schooling needs,” he said in the post.

Ramanan added that at Sekolah Kebangsaan Subang Bestari alone, a total of 2,363 students will receive BAP in 2026, with an initial distribution amounting to nearly RM355,000. The figure is expected to increase in line with student enrolment.

-- BERNAMA