5th January 2026 - 3 min read
All students in government schools will receive a RM150 one-off Early Schooling Aid, or Bantuan Awal Persekolahan, regardless of their parents’ household income, following the government’s decision to expand the programme.
The assistance is provided to help families manage the upfront costs associated with the start of the school year, including uniforms, footwear, and basic school supplies.
The Early Schooling Aid was previously targeted at students from lower-income households. Its expansion to cover all students, including those in Form Six, represents a shift towards broader-based education support.
Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran said the expanded scope reflects a policy move to extend education assistance to a wider group of students. He said education plays an important role in skills development, creativity, and long-term workforce readiness.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, announced during the tabling of Budget 2026 on 10 October last year that the Early Schooling Aid would continue this year.
Nearly RM800 million has been allocated to benefit around 5.2 million students from Standard One to Form Five in government schools nationwide. Each eligible student will receive a one-off RM150 payment. The allocation has been approved and is currently in force.
Prof Dr Mohammad Shatar said the assistance should not be viewed solely as short-term financial relief. He said adequate preparation at the beginning of the school year can affect students’ confidence and adjustment during the early stages of schooling.
Having appropriate clothing, footwear, and school supplies, he said, helps students feel included among their peers and supports better engagement in learning activities.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad said distributing the assistance through schools remains an effective approach.
Anuar said school-based disbursement allows for closer interaction between teachers, parents, and students, which helps strengthen communication and parental involvement in education. He is also deputy director of the Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute.
While supporting the expanded coverage, Anuar said future refinements could include adjusting assistance levels based on household circumstances.
He said factors such as family income, the number of school-going children, and parents’ financial capacity could be considered to ensure public funds are used more equitably.
The RM150 Early Schooling Aid is a one-off payment for the current school year and does not need to be repaid.
Parents do not need to submit a separate application if their child is enrolled in a government school, as eligibility is determined through school records.
Payment timing and collection arrangements are managed by individual schools, and parents are advised to check directly with the school for details.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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