Parents Grateful For BAP, See It As Relief To Ease Household Expenses

By Muhamad Adzhar Tajuddin

IPOH, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- With just two weeks remaining before the start of the first school term of 2025, parents are busy making preparations, especially those sending their children to primary and secondary schools for the first time.

A check by Bernama found that many parents are making the most of the Chinese New Year holiday season, and the Early Schooling Aid (BAP) received over the past two weeks, by visiting supermarkets and stores which sell school uniforms and supplies to get ready for the new school year.

While the RM150 may not seem like a large sum, for many parents, especially those in the B40 group, it provides significant relief in easing their financial burden.

Plumber, Yusof Hamzah, 52, shared that since receiving the BAP eight years ago, he has been able to save about 30 per cent of the costs for school supplies for his three children, aged nine, 14, and 16.

“The BAP has really helped our family, especially with the rising cost of living each year. It has helped somewhat with the expenses for my children’s schooling.”

“Whatever happens, I hope that the government continues this initiative, and if possible, I would like to see the amount increased over time,” said Yusof, when met at a supermarket in Bandar Meru Raya, recently.

Housewife Aisyah Taha, 44, also expressed her gratitude, as she feels that the BAP initiative provides significant relief, especially for low-income families like hers.

She said that four of her five children, aged between eight and 17, benefit from the assistance.

“I am very grateful to the MADANI government for the support, which has made a real difference for us as parents,” she added.

Meanwhile, civil servant, Azrul Hafiz Hamdan, 35, said that the continuation of the BAP initiative demonstrates that the government is committed, and places great importance on education as a crucial sector in advancing the nation.

“This initiative must be sustained, because investing in the education sector is never a waste, as it is directed towards future human resources which will contribute to the development of the country,” he said.

The BAP, introduced by the government in 2012, aims to ease the financial burden of parents or guardians of Year 1 to Form 5 students. For the 2025/2026 school session, the initiative has been expanded to include Form 6 students, with payments commencing on Jan 13.

The distribution of BAP for Form 6 Semester 2 and Year 1 students in the 2025/2026 school session will commence on Feb 16, while new Form 6 students will begin receiving payments on July 1, 2025.

The MADANI government has allocated RM791 million for this one-off payment, benefiting over 5.2 million students, with each student receiving RM150.

-- BERNAMA