A record 13,911 students from low income families received help from The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) last year. The amount disbursed last year totalled $7 million and, if projections are correct, this year could see $7.9 million go to 14,000 needy students, said SPMF chairman Han Fook Kwang.
At its Appreciation Day celebration yesterday, Mr Han, ST's editor at large, recountered how the fund started in 2000 with readers' donations after The Straits Times wrote about families with difficulty coming up with pocket money for their children.
The fund works with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), which disburses the money through its network of family service centres and voluntary welfare organisations. It is a "prime example of public, private and people partnership", said NCSS chief executive Sim Gim Guan.
Pocket money is given to students whose families meet the eligibility criteria of not more than $560 in monthly gross household per capita income. Said Mr Han: "There are no other bells ad whistles; we have no academic or other criteria. The idea we believe in is a simple one: Remove some of the financial stress these students face and they can better focus on schoolwork and do better."
Thoughts:
- I totally agree that children should not, because of household finances, and give up their education. This fund helps those students in need to worry lesser about food/ education expenses. Schools too, have the MOE Financial Assistance to help needy students with uniforms, school fees, exam fees etc too. It is important to see this as investing in our country's future!
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
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