Free spectacles for 500 pupils from B40 families in KL
SOME 500 children from low- income households in Kuala Lumpur will receive free spectacles as part of an effort by Federal Territories Department (JWP) to address poor eyesight.
The recipients will be identified via eye screening of Year One to Three pupils from five primary schools – SK Seri Bintang Utara, SK Sungai Penchala, SK Seri Mega, SK Tun Hussein Onn and SK Jalan Bellamy.
Introduced in five primary schools last year, the initiative called Mata Hati Wilayah is entering its second year.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the initiative was a social intervention to help children from B40 families who could not afford glasses.
She said a 2023 Health Ministry study found that nearly 30% of young Malaysian children suffered from poor eyesight.
'What's even more worrying is that they are probably not even aware and this may have an impact on their academic performance and self-esteem,' she said during the programme's launch at SK Seri Bintang Utara in Cheras.
At the event, the minister also announced a RM10,000 allocation to the school to support its commitment in ensuring the success of the programme.
To widen access to proper eye care for the underprivileged, Dr Zaliha said she would also propose that the Education Ministry incorporate screening into orientation programmes for Year One pupils.
'This is important as poor eyesight has been linked to delayed cognitive and language development in children,' she added.
Also present were Education Ministry deputy director-general (school operations) Zainal Abas, JWP deputy director-general (socio-economic and management) Datuk Parang Abai @ Thomas and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Community and Urban Wellbeing Department director Badrul Hisham Baharuddin.
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The Star
13 hours ago
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Free spectacles for 500 pupils from B40 families in KL
Dr Zaliha (second from right) with Zainal Abas (second from left) checking on a pupil undergoing eye screening at SK Seri Bintang Utara in Cheras. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star SOME 500 children from low- income households in Kuala Lumpur will receive free spectacles as part of an effort by Federal Territories Department (JWP) to address poor eyesight. The recipients will be identified via eye screening of Year One to Three pupils from five primary schools – SK Seri Bintang Utara, SK Sungai Penchala, SK Seri Mega, SK Tun Hussein Onn and SK Jalan Bellamy. Introduced in five primary schools last year, the initiative called Mata Hati Wilayah is entering its second year. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the initiative was a social intervention to help children from B40 families who could not afford glasses. She said a 2023 Health Ministry study found that nearly 30% of young Malaysian children suffered from poor eyesight. 'What's even more worrying is that they are probably not even aware and this may have an impact on their academic performance and self-esteem,' she said during the programme's launch at SK Seri Bintang Utara in Cheras. At the event, the minister also announced a RM10,000 allocation to the school to support its commitment in ensuring the success of the programme. To widen access to proper eye care for the underprivileged, Dr Zaliha said she would also propose that the Education Ministry incorporate screening into orientation programmes for Year One pupils. 'This is important as poor eyesight has been linked to delayed cognitive and language development in children,' she added. Also present were Education Ministry deputy director-general (school operations) Zainal Abas, JWP deputy director-general (socio-economic and management) Datuk Parang Abai @ Thomas and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Community and Urban Wellbeing Department director Badrul Hisham Baharuddin.
