Red tape for Edusave bursary
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Dec 2, 2010 - ST Forum
AT THIS time of the year, families with school-going children are enjoying the year-end holidays. It is also around this time that the Ministry of Eduction (MOE) sends out letters to students who have done well in their studies to receive Edusave awards.
Often, parents are given very tight timeframes to submit their letters to claim these awards. It was particularly bad last year when the letters arrived just a day or two before the closing date for submission. I am certain many parents would have missed the deadline if they had been overseas on holidays when the letters arrived.
My daughter received the Edusave Merit Bursary Award letter and was told to submit her claim within a specified timeframe. In the letter it was stated that supporting income documents must be submitted upon request.
But when I submitted the application, I was told to submit my pay slip as well, which I did not have on hand.
I took issue with the People's Association (PA) counter staff for asking for my income statement even before they had started reviewing my application.
Surely the MOE can make processes simpler rather than have PA staff ask for documents that are not necessary at the time of submission of application.
I hope the MOE and PA can work together to make the process simpler for parents and students.
Wee Eng Leong
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