Minister welcomes decision on black school shoes

SIPITANG: State Education and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob welcomes the decision to change the colour of school shoes to black.

The decision announced by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik is timely and apt as it was what some parents in the country have been asking for, he said.

Dr Yusof added that parents in Sabah, especially those in the rural areas will be supportive of the directive which will be made mandatory next schooling year.

“We all know how easy it is for white colour school shoes to get dirty. Frequent washing of the footwear will make it wear out easily. With black shoes, the wear and tear will be less,” he said.

Dr Yusof who was met after officiating the Persatuan Kadayan Sabah Zon Usuk in Kampung Lubuk Darat here on Saturday night said this when asked to comment on the new directive from the federal Education Ministry.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said on Saturday that a one year grace period will be given to all quarters before the ruling of black school shoes is implemented in all government schools.

He said the grace period was given for everyone to adjust to the new ruling and not to burden the parents with drastic implementation.

During this period, he said there would be no disciplinary action taken on students who have failed to wear black school shoes.