Schools to go cashless in the future, says Maszlee

PUTRAJAYA: Schools will be operating in a cashless system in the future, said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.

The ministry, Dr Maszlee said, is in discussions with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to come up with plans to transform schools into cashless schools.

“It won’t happen overnight. This will probably be realised during our grandchildren’s time.

“We (ministry and BSN) have already reached a consensus to carry out a pilot project in a few selected schools,” he said after presenting awards at BSN’s “Skim Galakan Simpanan Pelajar (SGSP) 2019” award ceremony here yesterday.

The SGSP is a joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme by BSN and the ministry to encourage students to save and to raise financial literacy among them.

Dr Maszlee added that some schools such as the orang asli school in Damansara Perdana, Selangor – SK Bukit Lanjan – are already operating a cashless system.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Maszlee said that moving towards a cashless school system would lead to fewer thefts among schoolchildren.

“I can imagine cashless schools in a few generations. This will be the future,” he said, adding that he found it interesting how China had transformed into a cashless society.

“Even credit and debit cards are outdated. All they need is a QR code,” said Dr Maszlee, who also emphasised the importance of financial literacy among children.

“We want the young generation to adopt a positive attitude on prioritising expenses, be able to prepare for their future and be ready for rainy days,” he added.

He announced at the event that 8,073 schools, or 79% of 10,180 schools in Malaysia, have started saving through BSN’s SGSP – which started in 1982 – as well as other finance programmes by the bank.

On the termination of the solid waste disposal operations at the CEP 1 Estate Sanitary Landfill in Simpang Renggam, Johor, MP Dr Maszlee said he was thankful for the quick thinking of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin who made fast decisions to handle the issue.

“This a present to the rakyat from the Pakatan Harapan government. This has been an issue for the past seven years.

“Every time it rains, the river will be contaminated with high levels of ammonia and the water will be rendered unusable. But in less than 24 hours, the issue was solved thanks to brave actions,” he said.