KUCHING: A total of 500 students have received back-to-school assistance under Yayasan Kebajikan Negara’s (YKN) Ceria Kasih Programme, aimed at easing the financial burden on families ahead of the new school session.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the programme reflects strong collaboration between YKN and its strategic partners in supporting children’s welfare.
“For your information, this year’s Back to School Programme has benefited 500 students in Kuching today.
“Meanwhile, another 200 students received the same assistance in Lundu yesterday. This brings the total number of students who have benefited from the close collaboration between Yayasan Kebajikan Negara and its strategic partners to 700,” she said.
She said this when speaking at the officiating ceremony of YKN Ceria Kasih Programme and Back to School 2026 Session programme at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here on Sunday.
Nancy expressed her appreciation to Yayasan Sime Darby for sponsoring school uniform vouchers, PEKEMA for contributing school bags and stationery and Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad for providing nutritious milk.
“These contributions not only help the children but also ease the financial burden on parents,” she said.
She said the involvement of the corporate sector demonstrates a shared responsibility in safeguarding children’s welfare, in line with the “whole of society approach”.
“Corporate sector collaboration such as this demonstrates that caring for the welfare of children is a shared responsibility.
“This reflects the spirit of the ‘whole of society approach’, which involves close cooperation between government agencies, the private sector and the public for the future of our younger generation,” she said.
Nancy stressed that while the assistance helps to reduce immediate burdens, parents remain the main pillar in shaping their children’s future.
“The assistance provided today helps to alleviate some of the burden; however, parents remain the main pillar in shaping their children’s future.
“Presence, attention and guidance at home are crucial, especially in today’s world that is filled with technological and social media challenges,” she said.
She also highlighted that education goes beyond academic learning.
“Education is not only about academic learning in school. It is also about manners, discipline, personal safety and emotional well-being,” she said, adding that she appreciated the programme content that helped parents and children better understand these aspects.
Nancy expressed hope that the YKN Ceria Kasih programme and the Back to School contributions would continue to benefit families and children.
“I hope that these programmes will bring great benefits to our families and children. May they begin the 2026 school session with greater confidence, joy and enthusiasm,” she said.
