AHMAD Fahmi thought he could save on school supplies for his children this year by reusing the uniforms of his year three daughter, a prefect.

However, the school decided to change the colour of its prefects’ uniforms, forcing parents like Fahmi to spend more money for the school session which starts in two weeks.

This is just one case illustrating how some schools cause unnecessary hardship to low- and middle-income parents, who already struggle with the ever-increasing cost of school supplies.

Fahmi was one of the 10 families interviewed by The Malaysian Insight in the Klang Valley, Penang and Sarawak who feel that the government must do more to control the cost of school supplies and help B40 families.

They said Putrajaya should cut down on the types of school uniforms, fees, books and stationery.

“If I didn’t have to change the uniforms for my child, I could’ve saved a bit of money this year. Her old uniforms are still good and can be reused,” said Fahmi in Dengkil.

“But for some inexplicable reason, the school decided to change the colours of all its prefects’ uniforms, so I have to buy a completely different set for my child because the old ones can’t be used.

“If they had given us a grace period of two years, we could still reuse the old uniforms and buy the new ones later,” said the technician, who supports his family of four on a monthly income of RM3,000.

He estimated that he has spent RM200 on each of his primary school-age daughters so far.

Most parents buy a few items each month instead of making a large purchase at once. Some work as Grab drivers or sell cakes on the side. There are those who work more overtime and a few even scrimp on food.

All this just so they can afford school supplies for their children.

Biting the bullet for education

Like Fahmi, parents whose children are prefects, or members of uniformed brigades and sports clubs, have to fork out more for the clothes and shoes required for these activities.

All of the 10 low- and middle-income families said although they grumble about the cost, they still spend on their children’s education.

“Only my husband works. He drives a lorry and earns RM2,000 per month to feed four people, including our two kids,” said housewife Lee Im Im, 43, of Bukit Mertajam.

“I save a lot, on all things, even eating. I save because I want to put my kids through school. Every month, I save a bit for my kids’ school expenses.

“For my son, uniforms, shoes, stationery and books all cost about RM150,” she said of her year four child.

Six of the 10 families said they want the government to reduce the cost of daily goods, such as food and household items, saying this will help them overcome the cost of school supplies.

The remaining families prefer aid specifically for school supplies, something that many elected representatives give out on an individual basis.

Only two of the B40 families interviewed said they receive aid for school supplies from politicians.

Office cleaner Ong Mei Jen said she got a RM100 coupon to buy such supplies at a selected store in Bukit Mertajam.

“I have twins who will start year two next year. I’ve spent about RM100 on each child,” she said, adding that her husband, a hawker, makes RM80 to RM100 a day.

Father-of-four Magson Wong of Kuching said he does not believe that the politicians in his area will help when it comes to school supplies.

“I am just thrifty and I pray. A lot,” he said when asked about his strategy to earn extra cash for school supplies for his children, two of whom are in secondary school and one in primary school.

Nurul Asila Ismail makes RM3,000 as a Grab driver and part-time tutor to supplement her husband’s income and care for their six children.

“I buy in stages, bit by bit. The priority is their uniforms. The younger ones will reuse their older siblings’ clothes if they still fit. Shoes and bags that are still good will be reused.

“I also want to save money for textbooks,” said the 39-year-old from Puncak Alam in Selangor.

Razdi Manan earns about RM6,000 a month but even he finds it hard to provide for his form five son and two daughters in form two and year four.

“I have to spend about RM2,000 on my eldest son because he is in a residential vocational school and he needs special uniforms for industrial training,” said the 47-year-old bank officer.

“I spend between RM400 and RM500 on each of my daughters for their school supplies and co-curricular clothes, and fees and uniforms for religious classes. So, the total budget is about RM3,000 per year.

“I would not be able to afford all this if my wife didn’t take up baking and selling cakes part-time. It’s her income that pays for all this. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to afford it.” – December 17, 2019.