THE Penang government has announced a monthly subsidy of RM50 on registered childcare centre (taska) fee for each child of parents with a household monthly income of below RM5,000 as well as a one-off payment of RM1,000 for taska operators who charge a monthly fee of below RM500.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who is in charge of Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, said the scheme was approved during the state executive council meeting on Wednesday.
In order to qualify for the monthly fee subsidy of RM50, the children must attend a registered taska that charges them below RM500 per month.
“A one-off payment of RM1,000 is only for the 77 taska operators who are registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and are charging a monthly fee below RM500.
“This is to help improve the quality of facilities for children’s learning in registered taska in the state.
“More details about the financial aid will be revealed soon,” Chong Eng told reporters during her visit to Taska Anak D’Hatiku at Taman Pauh Jaya in Perai yesterday.
Also present were state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng.
On the monthly subsidy on taska fee, Chong Eng said it is to alleviate the burden of working parents from B40 families especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The RM50 monthly’s subsidy is for the period of one year totalling RM600.
“Parents can apply the monthly subsidy through the official form that will be distributed to the taska operators later on.
“And parents must provide relevant documents to prove that their household income is below RM5,000 per month,” she added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud