SCHOOL canteen operators are dismayed to find they are not unprovided for in Budget 2021 as educational institutions are closed once more amid a fresh outbreak of Covid-19.

Schools nationwide are shuttered until January 20.

Abdullah Khairi had just signed a contract in January to run a school canteen in Section 18, Shah Alam.

“Unfortunately the epidemic has caused schools to close. I can understand this. Children’s safety is far more important and I can always look for other ways to make money. But of course we were hoping that the government would help. The RM500 from our EPF Accounts 1 and 2 is not enough,” said Abdullah, father of four.

“I am also taking care of my parents. They are old and my responsibility. 

“With utility bills, car loan, housing loan and miscellaneous to pay for, my monthly expenses come up to about RM3,000.”

“At the moment, I am driving for Grab part time but because of the CMCO in Selangor, there are not many passengers.”

Mohamad Rizal Jusoh, Parent-Teacher Association chairman at SK Taman Impian Bukit Mertajam, said school canteen operators were struggling financially.

“It is hard for them and I was told many have been selling food elsewhere,” he said.

“As the PTS chairman here, I have spoken to the headmaster about letting the canteen operator stay on next year but they need to keep the canteen clean and hygienic at all times.”

“We will discuss this with the operator as well as with the district education department,” he said.

Senior Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said the government decided to close all schools to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has urged the government to consider providing grants and extending the contracts of canteen operators  affected by the closure of schools.

“More than 10,000 canteen operators nationwide are affected by the decision to close schools until December 17 (last day of the school year),” he said in a statement today.

Pupils in primary school and in Forms 1, 4, 5 and 6 will return to the classroom on January 20, while those in Forms 2 and 3 will be taught online at home. The latter batch will only return to school on March 8.

For a 50-year-old Kak Seri, who has recently secured a contract to run a school canteen in Klang, 2020 has been a most challenging year.

“This year has been very tough for me. I lost my mother in January and a few months later I become jobless. I thought all was well (when I landed the canteen contract) but it only lasted for a few weeks before everything was shut down again,” she said.

“I had to let go of two workers because I could not pay them. Now I am taking orders for food from neighbours and close friends. I am grateful that I can still earn some money.”

“However, it would be a lot better if there was a special grant for people like me who have lost their incomes.”

The government has allowed withdrawals of up to RM6,000 a year from EPF Account 1 starting January.

Another canteen operator, Che Su in Penang, wished there was a special allocation for those who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am one of those who have been hit hard by the pandemic. It has affected me and my family.”

“We thought things would be okay after schools were reopened, but then cases started to swell and we were again forced to close.”

“I have wihdrawn my savings from Account 2 but there are still three months to go before school  reopens. Hopefully cases will drop by then.” – November 11, 2020.