PUTRAJAYA, Jan 19 — The Education Ministry is proposing an additional 50 sen per head to the school's supplementary food program as part of efforts to combat malnutrition in children, its minister Fadhlina Sidek said today.
She said if approved, the allowance would increase from RM2 to RM2.50 in the peninsular to RM2.25 to RM2.75 in east Malaysia.
"The current food aid is RM2 in the peninsular and RM2.50 in Sabah and Sarawak, and that's not enough to ensure that they receive sufficient nutrition.
"We are currently requesting more allowances to ensure enough nutrition and for the students to receive the benefits of healthier food," she said.
Fadhlina added that the ministry is committed to adding pre-schools every year, starting with an additional 118 pre-schools across the country, including urban and rural areas.
Besides that, the education minister cautioned members of the public and media organisations against sensationalising negative news involving school children to protect their privacy.
She said this in reference to the recent viral news of a bullying case which took place in a school in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
"We need to protect the student's and the school's identity as it will affect them for a long time once it goes viral.
"We also want to solve this through methods like counseling and home visits to help and guide their return to school and other social aspects.
"There's no need to sensationalise issues like this on an international scale. It's just unnecessary," she said.
