PETALING JAYA: School canteen operators and premises tenants will be given three months' free rental from Jan 1 to March 31, says the Education Ministry.
In a statement, its School Management Division said the rental exemption was extended as the remaining school term for the 2021/2022 academic session is only for a short 35 days.
"This initiative is in line with the complaints of canteen operators and four tenants of premises or spaces whose incomes were affected due to the increase in the price of goods and raw materials.
"The ministry believes that this initiative can help canteen operators and premises or space tenants reorganise their business strategies and generate their incomes," it stated.
The ministry said that they are aware of the current economic situation which has caused an increase in the cost of raw materials and impacted canteen operators.
It added that the ministry is monitoring the situation closely to ensure that the prices of food and drinks at school canteens are sold at set prices.
"School administrators, through the Student Affairs Committee, constantly monitor and hold discussions with canteen operators to ensure that their services comply with the canteen contract and management handbook, including the lists and prices of food sold.
"Based on the latest 'Panduan Pengurusan Kantin Sekolah Sihat' published in 2011, it is the responsibility of the principal or headmaster and the school canteen committee to ensure that canteen operators sell food and drink items according to the list," it said.
On food and drink prices, it said that it is the responsibility of canteen operators, in agreement with school authorities, to sell food and drinks at reasonable prices.
This is listed in the school canteen lease and management agreement which is signed by the school (representing the government) with canteen operators.
The ministry was responding to a news report by FMT that the prices of some types of food in school canteens had increased by up to 50% after the school session resumed, following the increase in the market prices of raw materials such as eggs, cooking oil and sugar.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the new rate for the Supplementary Food Plan Programme (RMT) - which increased from RM2.50 to RM3.50 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM3 to RM4 for Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan - had also helped reduce the burden on canteen operators, it said.
The Health Ministry, through state and district education departments will also periodically monitor school canteens as a precautionary measure.
