YONG PENG: Mechanic P. Thangveloo was all smiles when his fourth child received school aid from Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The 58-year-old said his daughter would be able to attend Year Five at SK Ladang this year with new school uniforms and shoes.

“I am glad that my child is smiling because she will be very pretty on her first day of school wearing her new uniform,” he added.

Thangveloo was among 134 recipients of the “Back to School” programme organised by the Johor Youth Council, which was launched by Dr Wee on Sunday.

He added that even though three of his children had left school, he still had to pay for his youngest child’s education from his RM2,000 salary.

“It is a relief for me to receive such aid as I am the sole breadwinner of my family and the school term is already starting,” he said.

Another recipient Zara Othman, 42, said she was very relieved after receiving brand new school uniforms for her 12-year-old daughter.

“I usually spend about RM500, which is half of my salary, for my only child’s school needs and this also includes her school fees and books.

“This is very timely as it helps me save some money so I can have some cash for emergencies,” she said adding that Dr Wee always lent a helping hand to the people in Ayer Hitam.

Meanwhile, Dr Wee, who is also MCA deputy president and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, commended the Johor Youth Council for organising the programme which he said had helped lift a huge burden off parents’ shoulders.

He added that the Government would continue handing aid to recipients especially those in lower and middle-income groups to address the high cost of living.

Dr Wee added that the Johor government has introduced a scholarship programme to help underprivileged students in their education.

“Yayasan Sultanah Fatimah is among the incentives and programmes introduced by the state government to ensure that our children have the opportunity to get an education.

“The Federal Government, through the Budget 2018, has many incentives to help the lower and middle-income group,” he added.

-The Star-