SANDAKAN – The hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping for school uniforms and equipment was apparent in Sandakan town today, seeing as how school reopens for Primary 1 and 2 students tomorrow.
The road leading to town had been congested since 9am, and shoppers could be seen forming a beeline to get inside the supermarkets.
For all intents and purposes, Suntos Supermarket is a go-to spot for parents in Sandakan looking to purchase school uniforms, due to its wide selection of choices.
One of its staffers told The Vibes that the store has received an increasing number of customers over the past week, with the highest number seen today.
Parent Azila Alawi – who was queuing outside the supermarket with her two children, sister, and mother – said that she only had today to do her shopping after receiving her salary this month, as it was the first day off from her work as a clerk.
“I am a single mother, which means I do not have a partner to share my children’s school expenses. So, I had to wait until my February salary was out in order to buy these things,” she said, explaining that she set aside RM300 to buy her daughter’s school uniform, shoes, and bag.
“Even though I have been struggling financially following the pandemic, I think my children's education should be put first.”
The scene was very similar at Mydin Hypermarket. A lady named Siti – who brought her two sons along so that they could choose their preferred shoe designs and sizes – was seen helping them to try on different products. Meanwhile, a barber shop at the hypermarket was also swamped with parents waiting for their children to get a haircut.
A few weeks ago, Sabah Education Department director Datuk Mistrine Radin in a press release announced that 94,450 Primary 1 and Primary 2 students would be starting school again in Sabah on March 1, which falls tomorrow.
This includes 824 students from private primary schools, 434 students from religious primary schools, and 39 students from special education schools.
She said 27,767 public pre-schoolers (aged 3 to 6) will resume school sessions tomorrow, while 18,539 students in private pre-schools had already started physical classes since January 20, 2021. – The Vibes, February 28, 2021
