Over 12,000 students rely on educational assistance

Hj Mohamad Rajap, assistant director of Department of Schools, pointing out the financial aid recipient statistics.
A total of 12,527 less fortunate students were identified as aid recipients this year.

Rasidah HAB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE number of students receiving government educational assistance continue to rise this year, with 12,527 less fortunate students identified as aid recipients.

Assistant Director of Department of Schools Hj Mohamad Rajap said the number of recipients keep growing every year since the Ministry of Education started the Miftaahun Najaah scheme.

Stastistics showed that the number of aid recipients nationwide stood at 2,232 in 2011 before increasing to 7,898 a year later.

A total of 9,935 received financial assistance in 2013, while 12,341 were recipients of the scheme in 2014. The number surged to 13,532 last year.

Hj Mohamad said the increase in 2014 and 2015 numbers can be attributed to the inclusion of pre-university students to the scheme.

The scheme was previously targeted at primary and secondary school students when it was introduced in 2011.

Out of the 12,527 students this year, 6,392 are primary school pupils, 6,055 in secondary schools and 80 are pre-university students.

Hj Mohamad, who is also head of the Miftaahun Najaah Unit, said the scheme aimed to help students who are facing economic, family, accommodation and transportation issues.

“Some of the students come from families whose household income is $250 and below per month. Other reasons include having a large number of dependents, parents who are unemployed, fired/dismissed or suspended from their work or declared bankrupt.”

The scheme also aimed to ease the burden of parents and guardians in buying school supplies as well as to prevent the students from being left behind in their studies.

The assistant director said every school has their own Miftaahun Najaah scheme committee, and applications can be made through the schools.

The schools are also tasked with distributing the assistance to the students.

To be eligible for the assistance, students must be residents or permanent residents of Brunei and they must be studying in Year One to Year 12 in schools registered under the Ministry of Education.

Hj Mohamad said the cost of purchasing school necessities is an average $400 per student for a new academic year.

The types of assistance provided include school stationeries and uniforms, workbooks, tuition classes, teaching aids as well as materials for special needs students. Considerations will also be given to students in need of hostels, transportation services and financial assistance.

A student may stop receiving assistance under certain circumstances, such as dropping out of school, recorded below 85 per cent in attendance or do not show an interest in studying.

“Parents must be supportive of their children’s education, so that the children would have a direction for their future,” he said, adding that the scheme is part of the government’s strategies to promote equality in education towards achieving Vision 2035.


Sumber - The Brunei Times