KUCHING: A total of 100 students from SK Semerah Padi Kuching received school assistance vouchers worth RM300 each from Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad through Pertubuhan Hati Suci (HATI) today.
The assistance, presented by Pertubuhan Hati Suci chairman Mohammad Zaidi Zainuddin, during the voucher presentation ceremony, was also attended by the recipient students and their parents.
In her welcoming speech, SK Semerah Padi headmistress Aida Kertina Hamden Hamid expressed her gratitude that the school was among those selected to receive the aid.
“We are very grateful as these vouchers will ease the financial burden of parents ahead of the new school year. Parents with many children will certainly be delighted and thankful for the vouchers as they will help cover some school-related expenses.
“I hope these vouchers will be used wisely to purchase uniforms and school shoes for the children. We pray that in the coming years, our school will continue to receive this assistance.”
Meanwhile, Mohammad Zaidi stressed the importance of parents using the assistance prudently.
“This RM300 is the largest assistance provided to our students so far. In Sarawak, five schools have been selected, involving 350 students with a total allocation of RM105,000.
“We ask the school management to set a date for students and their parents or guardians to visit Pasaraya Hari-Hari in Jalan Matang to purchase their school uniforms.
“In Sarawak, we have chosen Pasaraya Hari-Hari as the designated store for redeeming the vouchers and buying school uniforms. This is the second year that Pertubuhan Hati Suci has managed this voucher assistance program in Sarawak.
“This is a trust from Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, which we deliver to the recipients. For this school, RM30,000 has been allocated for the students’ school preparations. We do not provide cash to prevent leakage or misuse,” Mohammad Zaidi stressed.
Also present at the voucher presentation ceremony were Pertubuhan Hati Suci secretary-general Zulhaidi Abu Bakar, treasurer Nuraini Mohd Ariffin, Hari-Hari Bumi Jaya managing director Dato Amilludin Latip and the administrative team of SK Semerah Padi.
During the event, Amilludin announced an enhancement to the programme by offering a 10% discount to teachers accompanying students to purchase their school uniforms.
