BUTTERWORTH: Three brothers, who stopped schooling since the beginning of this year because of poverty, will return to school after the week-long holidays.
S. Tharmarhaja, 15, will resume his studies in Form Two at SMK Kampung Kastam, while S. Herash, 10, and S. Yoshwin, 8, will resume Year Four and Year Two respectively at SK Bagan Jermal.
Tharmarhaja was met at his rented home in Ampang Jajar here today after receiving his letter of offer from state Education Department chief assistant director (planning and management sector) Datuk Zulkafli Kamaruddin.
Tharmarhaja said he was excited to return to school.
He said as soon as he received the good news last Friday, he sent a WhatsApp message to his best friend to tell him that he was returning to school.
"I can't wait to go back to school. I am looking forward to meeting my friends and teachers.
"I have been dreaming of this day for a long time. I won't waste this opportunity and will study hard to fulfil my ambition to become a detective and help my family."
He said he was thankful to Bagan Jermal assemblyman Soon Lip Chee for helping him return to school.
"I also want to thank the state Education Department and everyone who has helped my family."
The boys' mother, T. Mogana Selvi, 39, said she was grateful to Soon, the state Education Department and those who had helped her sons.
"My sons love studying, but I could not send them to school because of poverty.
"I have been feeling quite bad, but everything is falling into place."
Soon presented the siblings with school books, uniforms, shoes and other necessities.
Former Seberang Prai City Council councillor Anjoe Tan sponsored the brothers' transportation costs.
Soon said his service centre would take Tharmarhaja and Mogana Selvi to SMK Kampung Kastam tomorrow for registration.
"Once everything is settled, we hope Tharmarhaja and his brothers can return to school when the session resumes next Monday.
"No child should be deprived of education," he said, adding that his service centre would continue to help the family.
Zulkafli, meanwhile, lauded Soon's efforts to help the family.
"We hope this will encourage others to help those in need."
On Aug 19, the New Straits Times had highlighted the brothers'