SEPANG, 24 Dec: Application conditions for the Selangor Kindergarten Assistance Scheme (Tunas) will be relaxed to expand the scheme participation to 5,000 recipients next year.
Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Executive Councillor, Dr Halimah Ali said that previously, application for the assistance was open to every family with a household income of less than RM1,500 per month.
However, the Selangor Government is considering to change the conditions for families earning RM2,500 and below.
“The conditions are currently being discussed at the Excutive Council meeting and I hope it is being well thought out,” she said after officiating the Sepang District Tunas Tour Mini Carnival Programme.
Also present were the Sungai Perak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Coordinator, P. Sivakumar and State Tunas Operations Officer, Abdul Mutalib Islan.
She said that the target of 5,000 recipients and participation from 500 kindergartens that register for the scheme is in accordance with the new provisions for next year, which is RM3 million.
“If this year we allocated a total of RM1.016 million, then next year, the Selangor Government will be allocating RM3 million under the 2013 Budget.
“Therefore, I hope for cooperation from various parties including Assemblymen, DUN Coordinators, Village Heads and all parties in order to help ensure the success of this scheme,” she said.
The Tunas Scheme under the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES or Localising the Selangor Economy) agenda
gives kindergarten children who qualify an assistance of RM50 per month.
Implementation of this scheme began on July 1 this year where fees for children who were selected were paid directly to kindergartens registered with the Majlis Permuafakatan Tadika Selangor (MPTS or Selangor Kindergarten Council).
So far, a total of 1,903 beneficiaries have benefited with the participation of 232 registered kindergartens under MPTS including Pasti, Kemas, JAIS Pre-School, Ministry Pre-School, Unity Kindergarten and Private Kindergartens.
Meanwhile, Abdul Mutalib said that the Sabak Bernam district recorded the most number of entries for the Tunas scheme followed by the Klang district.
“To ensure that the programme runs smoothly and is made known to the public, we will visit 56 districts and hold a roadshow to brief (the people) about the assistance as well as to hold a Tunas Family Day,” he said.
For trader, Mohd Azhar Mahmud, 38, the assistance will help ease his burdens.
“I am happy with this assistance, although little, it at least helps traders like me,” he said.
Another recipient, Aznita Nor Othman, 28, from Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi hopes that the assistance will continue to help low-income families.
“This proves the State Government’s concern, for example I have three children, I am not working and I depend on my husband who is only a factory worker,” she said.