Back-to-school packs
THE Education Ministry wants the private sector to help fulfil the aspirations of the National Education Philosophy.
There are many public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities that companies can be part of, said Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching.
“I hope more will come forward and work together with us for the good of our children - especially on PPP programmes that can motivate and boost the confidence of students from the lower income group and urban poor.
“We also welcome participation from the community,” she said.
Financial hardship should not be a barrier to education, she said, adding that poverty is among the causes of students dropping out of school.
“We want to make sure everyone has access to quality education so that they can improve themselves and their family’s lives.
“Poverty shouldn’t stop them from becoming successful nor should it result in them slipping through the cracks as the country develops.”
She was speaking during the launch of the Back-to-School Programme 2019 at SK Klang Gate on Oct 18.
A collaborative initiative
between the ministry, McDonald’s Malaysia and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Malaysia, the programme – which is in its third year – will see 30,000 primary pupils nationwide receiving backto-school packs to motivate them to study.
RMHC is McDonald’s Malaysia’s charity of choice that aims to help the country’s underprivileged children.
The programme this year is the largest so far, with RM3mil raised by McDonald’s to ease the financial burden of the underprivileged ahead of the upcoming school year.
In the last two years, a total of RM2.9mil was raised to provide 23,000 back-to-school packs comprising a set of uniforms, shoes, and school bag.
McDonald’s Malaysia managing director and local operating partner Azmir Jaafar said education is a crucial sector that deserves everyone’s full attention.
“There can be no compromise on this.
“These children are the future of our nation. Each of them deserves to be given the right opportunities
to succeed,” he said, adding that expenses, especially at the start of the school year, can be a challenge for parents and guardians.
Azmir, who is also the RMHC president, hoped that the programme would be of some help to the B40 group.
Thanks to the back-to-school packs donated by business partners, franchisees, employees, and customers, parents will have a little more to spend on other necessities, he said.
“The positive feedback from teachers and parents of the previous programmes is what drove us to do our best to help even more students this year.”
The back-to-school packs will be distributed in stages until next month.
To donate or volunteer, call 03-7843 3388 or visit https:// rmhc-malaysia.my/get-involved/ make-a-donation/.