Defects On Education Funds 2012

The announcement of the new budget 2012, on 7^th October 2011 by the Prime Minister  Datuk Seri Najib Razak declare that all primary and secondary students from Year 1 to Form 5 nationwide will receive schooling assistance amounting to RM100. This move wills hopefully bright students from underprivileged families can have better opportunity to excel in their studies.

On the contrary, there is no specific clarification on how the money will be allocated to the students, especially to those live in isolated upriver settlements or far-flung villages. If the payment does required parents go to Education Office or Post Office to collect the money, it will not be worth for their time and effort as it might cost more than the amount given.

There seems to be a brighter side for the students in our education system, unfortunately there are still hidden problems the public is not aware of. First and foremost, the RM100 given under budget 2012 to all students, why not use it to help those students from lower income families? Not every student need the RM100 as a lot of them are from well-off families. Instead of giving RM100, the government can give more to those students who are less fortunate and withdraw students from well-off families from this plan. It is fair as we do not want the rich to share this privilege.

Do not be surprise that students will take up this money on buying luxuries such as mobile phones, clothes or any unrelated items. Why not channel money wisely to the students or families needy or to refurbish the dilapidated school buildings and provide a conducive environment for the students to study?

The new budget 2012 is deficit as the highest amount in Malaysia history. When the government stresses the importance of education and what they would do to provide more for the education system in our country, it is sheer disappointment as the funds given to education from Budget 2011 has decreased by 30%. Schooling assistance amounting of RM100 to the student’s purpose is to ease parent’s burden which is seen as beneficial to students but it might be a signal that the government lost track on the main purpose of education development?

Reported by,

Kok Hua Hui      09UJB00070

Neo Yee Feng    08UJB06424

Tiong Yong Keu 10UJB00671

Wee Lin Tan       09UJB01361