By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The Perak state government is continuing its Free Meal Assistance program under the Cikgu Saarani Tuition Program (TCS) for students sitting for public examinations across the state.
A total of 27,563 candidates for SPM, STPM, and STAM from schools throughout Perak will benefit from the initiative in 2025.
Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad said the program, now in its fifth year since it began in 2021, reflects the state government’s ongoing commitment to supporting efforts to improve students’ academic performance.
The program provides students attending exam-focused tuition classes with meals worth RM5 per day, with an allocation of RM3.96 million this year, up from RM3.42 million last year.
The assistance period has also been extended from 20 to 25 days to ensure students receive sufficient nutrition to stay energized and focused during exam preparations.
The initiative is supported by five state-linked companies (GLCs): the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation, Perak Water Board, Perak Chief Minister Incorporated (MB Inc. Perak), Perak State Development Corporation, and the Perak State Secretary Incorporated.
Their contributions are channeled through the Education Trust Fund (Tabung Amanah Didik) and coordinated by Yayasan Perak as the implementing agency.
Earlier, the Menteri Besar received mock cheques from contributors to the Free Meal Assistance under the Cikgu Saarani Tuition Program at Laman Seri Ridzuan.
