A pilot programme to assist students in critical subjects like Bahasa Malaysia and Mathematics in selected secondary schools here will be implemented next year.

DAP's Pujut assemblyperson Ting Tiong Choon (photo) said as a start, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato Permaisuri has already been selected while the second secondary school would be decided later.

"It will be a tutoring programme for students in Form One who are weak in certain subjects like Bahasa Malaysia and Mathematics," he told reporters after inspecting the distribution process of MyFreevView decoders at Sekolah Menengah Pei Min today.

Ting said funding for the programme would come from his service centre, which would cover fees for teachers as well as lunch for the students.

He said students picked for the programme would come early to the school for the tutoring programme that will be managed by teachers from the same school.

Meanwhile, Sarawak’s first student transport subsidy programme implemented by his service centre and SMK Baru Miri Parents Teachers Association, offered a fixed bus fare for secondary students from low-income families.

He said the pilot programme that took effect in April was to tackle the low attendance rate due to transportation problems.

"It seemed to have achieved its objective as attendance rose to 96.6 percent from 93 percent previously," he added.

- Bernama