Dr Wan Azizah calls for more NGOs, private sector support for schooling aid

KUALA LUMPUR: More non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private sector players should step up to provide educational aid to children from less-affluent families to help ease the financial burden on parents, said Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Dr Wan Azizah, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that such efforts could help prevent students from dropping out due to financial difficulties.

"Our country is developing a variety of education, especially AI (artificial intelligence) and digital, so by having our children educated in those fields, (there is no loss) if we invest now.

"(In the long term) we have the manpower and skills so that the people who invest can (benefit)... this is a win-win situation for everyone," she said.

Dr Wan Azizah said this when met by reporters after handing over contributions under the Back to School Programme and a special contribution totalling RM115,000 to 23 Parents and Teachers Associations (PTA) of schools in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency for 2025 here today.

A total of 1,000 primary and secondary students in the parliamentary constituency received school bags donated by MyPrihatin Foundation as well as uniform vouchers worth RM100 from Amanah Iktiar Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Yayasan Gerbang Bandar Tun Razak.

In her speech, Dr Wan Azizah expressed her gratitude to the donors for their generosity, noting that their contributions aligned with the Madani framework and would help ensure the welfare and well-being of the community.

She said that the Prime Minister was deeply committed to education, particularly for underprivileged communities, with various initiatives focusing on education and social welfare being implemented by the government.

"Education is a key tool for changing lives. I encourage parents to support and encourage their children to pursue their studies to the highest level," she added. - Bernama