KUCHING: The RM200 vouchers issued by Yayasan Sarawak under the School Uniform Assistance Programme 2017 will expire on Nov 30 this year.

Yayasan Sarawak director Azmi Bujang thus called on parents who have received the vouchers to use them at stores and business establishments identified by the agency before the expiry date.

He said Yayasan Sarawak had made it a point to distribute the aid to well deserving students as early as possible, preferably between Jan and March.

“Last year, we managed only to get it ready only in December as we were only given the name list by the Education Department in October. And this was just too late.

“After receiving the list from the Education Department where the number of students to us was much more than 20,000, we had to compare the list with the e-kasih list.

“And for those whose names did not appear on e-kasih, it was up to the Resident’s and district offices to recommend.  All this took time.

“This year, we were given the list earlier and we managed to get the vouchers ready by May.

“We hope next year, we can do it as early as Jan or February.  We believe it is possible as the Education Department has agreed to give us the list by November this year,” said Azmi.

He said in identifying students, priority was given to those in Primary One and Form One. —Bernama