ALOR SETAR: For as soon as, Suliza Abdullah didn’t have to make an excessive amount of of an effort to wake her kids up for school.
They had been awake on the first ring of the alarm bell, raring to go to school yesterday.Suliza, a 36-year-old meals stall operator, marvelled at how briskly her daughters Nur Safiyya Amanda Mohd Hafizad, 9, and Nur Qisya Azzalea, seven, received prepared.
“They were eager to meet their teachers, whom they haven’t seen in so long.
“During the school holidays, they attended home-based classes. I made a ‘Mama Daily Notebook’ to monitor their homework. I wrote down all their homework and sent it to their teachers.
“Now, all they care about is meeting those teachers,” Suliza mentioned with amusing.
Nasi lemak vendor Shuhadah Shamdan, 36, was additionally busy getting her daughters Nur Ainul Mandiah Ahmad, 12, Ku Iris Natalia Ku Imran, eight, and Nur Nadhirah Ahmad, six, prepared for school.
“Since early morning, I have been busy handling my children and sending them to school while preparing nasi lemak.
“My children have been in a chaotic mood since Saturday evening, wanting to go to school. They woke up at 6am,” she mentioned.
Technician R. Punithekumaran, 43, mentioned his 10-year-old son awoke early, brimming with pleasure.
“I have many things to worry about like Covid-19, but he really wanted to go to school,” mentioned Punithekumaran, whose son Yathavan research at SJK(T) Thiruvalluvar.
In Taman Aman, seven-year-old Muhammad Fathi Khalish instantly determined that he didn’t need to go to school – proper on the gates.
He broke down in public and gave his father, 34-year-old fireman Mohd Fahmi Mohammad, a tough time.
These had been among the many endearing scenes of youngsters returning to school in Perlis and Kedah amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
SK Taman Aman’s senior assistant (scholar affairs) Nor Hafizoh Hashim mentioned the school presently had 587 pupils.
“Years Three, Four and Five pupils are under rotation. The school recorded a very good attendance of nearly 90%,” he mentioned.
First day blues: Mohd Fahmi had some problem persuading his son Muhammad Fathi Khalish to enter the school gate in Taman Aman. — GC TAN/The Star
State Education Department director Rozaini Ahmad mentioned 281,721 college students in 752 faculties in Kedah attended school on Sunday.
In Ipoh, financial institution officer YB Leong purchased barely greater school uniforms for her kids in 2020 with the hope that they might final for not less than two years.
Since her kids, aged six and eight, remained at residence for many of final 12 months due to the pandemic, the uniforms nonetheless appeared new and she didn’t want to get new ones for them this 12 months, she mentioned.
One school uniform set, comprising a shirt and pants, price Leong about RM60.
“I bought three sets each for both my sons and that already amounted to RM360. I spent another RM60 on two pairs of shoes.
“I managed to save RM420 this year as the uniforms and shoes still fit my boys,” she added.
Leong mentioned earlier than the pandemic, she would get new uniforms for her eldest son for each new time period.
“As for schoolbags, it is better to invest in sturdy and good-quality ones. Some may cost up to RM500 depending on the quality and size, but they can last for a long time if properly maintained.
“I bought a bag with wheels for my eldest son and it has lasted him three years,” she added.
As for books and stationery, Leong mentioned these weren’t required but because the school syllabus for 2022 had not began.
“The 2021 syllabus will end in February. My sons are borrowing textbooks from the school, so they will only be buying some exercise books and stationery later,” she mentioned.
Factory supervisor KC Kong, 40, mentioned he spent RM80 on two new units of school uniforms for his eight-year-old son.
“We also bought slightly bigger uniforms although he didn’t get much of a chance to wear them during the movement control order period.
“He can still fit in some older uniforms, so it’s all good for now,” he mentioned, including that his son had outgrown his footwear.
In Seremban, self-employed Muhammad Hariz Ramesh Pillai Abdullah 56, solely purchased a pair of footwear every for his three schoolgoing kids, including that costs had elevated by between 30% and 50%.
“I only bought the shoes as their school uniforms and bags are still in good condition. The shoes, which used to cost over RM20, are now priced at RM30,” he mentioned.
Shop assistant Okay. Suresh, 59, mentioned associates informed him that the costs of uniforms, luggage and footwear had additionally gone up.
“My daughter needs a new bag, but I have decided against buying one for now.
“There’s a huge outlet in Seremban which sells these items and I will buy them when it holds its back-to-school sale,” he mentioned, including that the sale, which used to be held earlier than the brand new school time period every year, didn’t happen this time round.
Suresh mentioned though value hikes had been unavoidable, the authorities wanted to do extra checks to guarantee there was no profiteering.
Housewife Okay. Valarmathy 50, whose son is in Form Three, mentioned school objects had been already pricey when she purchased them final 12 months.
“However, I bought my son a pair of football boots for school which cost me more than RM200,” she added.
