Seriputra5

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parent-Teacher Association of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Jalan Imbi has been running short of funds to carry out its activities over the past few years.

Its chairman, Law Seah Keong, said they carried out a lot of fund-raising activities, but the amount was never enough to meet their needs.

The PTA's plight received a helping hand when the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) launched a special fund to assist PTAs in carrying out their activities.

It was one of the 11 PTAs selected for the Dana PIBG pilot programme that was launched by 1MDB yesterday.

The RM20 million fund will be used to help eligible PTAs from government and government-assisted schools nationwide.

Law said the financial assistance they would receive would be used to change the 40-year-old tables and chairs in the canteen and to repair the roof along the walkway.

"If there are excess funds, we will use it to buy some computers."

1MDB chairman Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin said studies done by the organisation showed that the main problems faced by PTAs were lack of funds to improve school facilities and to conduct extra classes.

"Dana PIBG wants to help by providing a platform for PTAs to carry out their projects effectively.

"We hope that the fund can lighten the PTAs' fundraising burden so they can focus on planning for programmes that will benefit students in the long run."

The fund is open to both primary and secondary schools. PTAs of primary schools can apply for up to RM30,000 and secondary schools up to RM50,000.

"To apply for the fund, PTAs will have to come up with a detailed proposal describing their needs.

"The fund has to be used for educational activities, co-curriculum activities or minor infrastructure development," Lodin added.

Law was delighted to receive the assistance as it would help ease the PTA's financial burden.

"The government is doing the right thing by looking at the plight of people at the ground level," the father of four said.