Monday October 10, 2011

Perakians: Incentives for students and civil servants a welcome move

Story by EDMUND NGO
metroperak@thestar.com.my
Photo by RONNIE CHIN

PERAKIANS lauded the various policies in the budget to help combat poverty and rising cost of living.

Taiping Hospital oral surgeon J. K. Ferdinand, 46, said the abolishment of school fees was a relief for parents.

“The amount may not be big but it would certainly help ease the high cost of sending children to school,” he said.

Currently, students in primary and secondary schools have to pay RM24.50 and RM33.50 respectively for co-curriculum, internal test papers, Malaysian Schools Sports Council fees and insurance premium.

Absorbed: Ipoh Specialist Hospital staff listening to the Budget 2012 announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently.

On the upward revision of the salary scale, increment and half-month bonus for civil servants, Ferdinand said: “It shows the Government’s acknowledgement of civil servants’ contribution as well as concern for them.’

Administrative staff S. Dhasarathi, 34, said she was glad the Government would continue the subsidies for essential goods like oil, flour, rice and cooking gas.

She said the one-off cash payment of RM500 for households with a monthly income of RM3,000 or below showed the Government’s concern for the lower-income group.

College administrator Tian Peak Lim, 58, said she liked the budget’s emphasis on education.

She said the RM1bil special fund which was set up for the construction, improvement and maintenance of schools was timely.

All primary and secondary school students will also get cash aid of RM100 each.

However, Tian said the timeline and mechanism to implement the various policies was vital.

“Even a good policy will fail if the implementation is poor,” she said.

Foundation student Sophie Eng, 18, lauded the RM200 book vouchers for Form Six and tertiary education students.

She said many reference books were imported and were very expensive.

“With the vouchers, we may even buy extra reference materials to widen our knowledge and understanding on the subjects,” she said.

Source:

News

Monday October 10, 2011

Perakians: Incentives for students and civil servants a welcome move

Story by EDMUND NGO metroperak@thestar.com.my Photo by RONNIE CHIN

Source:

Story by EDMUND NGO
metroperak@thestar.com.my
Photo by RONNIE CHIN