The government can use the consolidated fund from various ministries and agencies to implement the programme that will benefit pupils in government and government-aided primary schools, the Malaysian PM told the press on August 28.
Asked about the perfect menu for the pupils’ breakfasts, Mahathir, who was a doctor before becoming a politician, said many healthy menus are suitable for the programme.
On August 26, Malaysian Education Minister Maszlee Malik announced that about 2.7 million pupils in government and government-funded primary schools will receive free healthy breakfasts beginning January next year.
The government will have to spend between 2-3 billion MYR (470-710 million USD) annually on the programme, depending on the menu.
Since 2012, students at Malaysian pubic primary and high schools have entitled to free tuition fees. The government has paid all expenses for education without any contribution from parents or people.
Before that, primary pupils were only required to pay 24.5 MYR (7.35 USD) while high school students paid 33.5 MYR (11.16 USD) annually for purchase of test papers, insurance and sport activities.
