KAJANG: Schools should not deduct any portion of the one-off Bantuan Awal Persekolahan (BAP) cash assistance and must distribute it directly to students as intended, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

“If there is a cut, please report it directly to the ministry for investigation. As mentioned, we have provided the full amount, so any discrepancies will be addressed promptly.

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“If there is a complaint, we will request for clarification, investigate, and expect the return of any misallocated funds,” she told reporters after the Chinese New Year celebration and mock cheque presentation ceremony for the one-off BAP cash aid at SMJK (C) Yu Hua.

Fadhlina handed over a check amounting to RM127,311,600 to the Selangor State Education Department (JPN), to be distributed to ten district education offices (PPD), benefiting 933 schools across Selangor.

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Meanwhile, Fadhlina also said that the views of parents advocating for the reinstatement of the Ujian Pentaksiran Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) exams shall be taken into consideration.

“As of now the ministry is prioritising the expansion of the 2027 curriculum and the direction of the nation in these four main areas, which are Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the mastery of the English language, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and digital education.

“We are also looking into the expansion of preschools at the ministry level,” she said.

The one-off BAP cash aid of RM150 will be disbursed through schools and distributed to students in cash or credit to their respective accounts.

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Students from households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below are eligible for the BAP.

In October last year, the Ministry said RM788.13mil was allocated during the Budget 2024 tabling specifically for the purpose of BAP with RM150 for each eligible student.