Malaysia Extends School Aid to Underprivileged Form Six Students

The Malaysian government is expanding its financial aid program to include underprivileged students in Form Six, the final pre-university stage. This move will provide much-needed support to over 31,000 students from hardcore poor families, who will each receive RM150 through the Schooling Aid Assistance (BAmP) initiative.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the expansion, stating that the decision was made after considering feedback from Form Six students during his visits to schools. Previously, the aid was provided to students from Year One up to Form Five. "We give pocket money of RM150 to students from Year One to Form Five, so Form Six students were left out. So for Form Six students, we will provide the same assistance. That's settled," he said during a monthly gathering at the Ministry of Education.

The BAmP, managed under the Poor Student Trust Fund (KWAPM), is designed to help students from poor and hardcore poor families continue their education and mitigate the risk of them dropping out. In addition to BAmP, KWAPM also offers Emergency Assistance (BK) to eligible students.

This expansion of aid underscores the government's commitment to ensuring educational equity and supporting students from vulnerable backgrounds. By providing financial assistance, the government aims to alleviate the burden on these families and ensure that all students have the opportunity to complete their secondary education.