Do keep your kids in school

EDUCATION is not free.

Schoolbooks, uniforms, workbooks, stationeries, shoes ... Every year, parents spend hundreds of dollars to put their children through school.

But for parents who do not earn enough or who are unemployed, the dilemma lies between spending what little they have on food or books. For the children of a couple at Kg Batong who are deep in debt, the choice is simple. School is too much to deal with for hungry children. How can they focus? So, four of the siblings opted to stay home instead of attending their classes. Fortunately, the authorities have come forward to provide them assistance by putting them in hostels for the coming school year.

Yesterday, we cited the principal of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Religious School in Kg Saba who said 40 per cent of parents whose children attend the school are unemployed. Othman Hj Ismail said their parents' situation has directly affected the students' attendance. In response, the deputy minister of Religious Affairs Pg Dato Paduka Hj Bahrom Hj Bahar said the ministry will act accordingly.

Throughout the week, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has been actively disbursing financial assistance to children from underprivileged families. On Tuesday, the MoE presented $400 each to a total of 1,340 students in the Brunei-Muara District. Yesterday, students from Tutong were given a similar aid, while another ceremony is being held in Temburong today. Although parents do not need to verify with the authorities how they spend the money, "we expect the parents entrusted with the funds to spend where it counts", said an official.

Education is a way out of poverty. If all parents understand this, they will try their hardest to ensure their children, at the very least, finish secondary school.

Life is hard enough as it is, and the future will be more competitive. So parents, give your children a fighting chance. Keep them in school, please.