Education Trust Fund-School Assistant Scheme (ETF-SAS) vouchers and Aziz Merchant Bursaries were given to 100 Muslim children from low-income families on Satrurday.

Eighty pupils from primary schools here received the ETF-SAS vouchers from Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim at a ceremony organised by Malay-Muslim self-help groups Mendaki. These vouchers, worth $200 each, can be used to purchase school books and stationery.

Mendaki's education trust fund has distributed more than $11.2 million to Muslim students since it was started in 2003. From January to August this year alone, a total of $1.5 million has gone to more than 6,000 needy students.

At the same ceremony, 20 pupils were awarded Aziz Merchant bursaries. The bursaries reward needy students who have performed well in school to encourage them to complete their primary school studies. Students can spend the $500 bursary on school necessities such as books, tuition fees and transport.

The Aziz Merchant bursary was started in 2007 by Mr Aziz Amirali Merchant, executive director of engineering at Keppel, and his wife Dr Reshma Aziz Merchant, who works at the National University Hospital.