KOTA KINABALU: The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) must step in to aid parents facing financial challenges in covering expenses for the Primary 6 "graduation ceremony" scheduled at a hotel, said Sabah Education director Raisin Saidin.
He said this following the circulation of a letter from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Unggun Menggatal to parents detailing the event and associated costs.
The school has outlined a fee of RM140 per student to encompass various aspects of the graduation ceremony slated for January 2024, including breakfast and lunch (RM100), photography (RM25), a certificate folder (RM10), and laundry service for each robe (RM5).
Parents and caregivers are given the option to pay in three instalments.
Concerns raised by netizens primarily focus on the perceived extravagance of the event, particularly given that Primary 6 students no longer undergo the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examinations.
Questions also arose about the affordability of the ceremony for low-income students, with particular attention to the reception and laundry costs.
In response, Raisin clarified that the school initiated the event independently, emphasising that there was no directive from the State Education Department dictating the manner of its organisation.
He underscored that such celebrations are typically planned collaboratively with parents at the beginning of the academic year.
Raisin expressed understanding of parents' desire to celebrate their children's achievements, regardless of financial constraints, suggesting that even those from B40 households would work collectively to pool funds over time.
He assured that these events are not impromptu and are methodically planned, with the school providing mechanisms for payment collection.
"Usually, such matters are discussed with students' parents. This celebration is a way for parents and teachers to mark the transition of their children to Form 1 after spending six or seven years at primary school.
"For parents facing financial difficulties, it becomes the responsibility of the PTA to assist them."