Vernacular schools receive little or no funding from the central government and only as recent as April this year did the PM announce 'equal' funding for Chinese and Tamil schools. It appears to be a pathetic attempt to woo the Chinese as election draws near. So it was a little bit strange for us as Nic began year one last year that we had to pay fees like security, air-cond, building fund and IT project funds. The total payable is RM280 per year per student. They can marginalize us but Chinese will always rise above such challenges.
Nic volunteered to sell marshmallows for her class and we were not surprised as she does have a certain esprit de corps in her. Here's the stinker - she said we had to pack them mallows, 4 pieces in a pack and make a total of 300 packets. I felt that to be a bit much but she was adamant that it is what teacher Lee asked for.
Okay we managed to come up with 287 packets as we ran out of plastic bags. Bright and early we arrived at the stall and true enough Ms Lee said it was way too much. The plan was to sell each pack at RM1.00 and we immediately switched to 3 packs for RM1.00. Mummy did a great job by selling off, guesstimate 95% of the lot. Nic sold a few packets and spent most of the time at the games - Zorbing (below), Haunted House and lots of snacks. I think the experience was tremendous as the kids got to operate a small business first hand.
I can conclude and say that the Chinese school method of education despite being a bit too regimented is wonderful as it teaches the kids entrepreneurship.
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