‘He was a bright student, but he could not proceed studying because lack of money’.
That is probably the most frequent story I have heard now as an adult. This usually refers to a person who was considered as a bright student but somehow now as an adult leading a not so successful life for various reasons. The reasons are not necessarily financial, but often made to believe so.
When I was in school, the story was something like, ‘even if you are smart is your study, if you parents cannot provide money, you will not be able to success in your study’.
Well, I tend to agree to this when I was in primary and secondary school. Now, as I look back, I could not agree with it anymore. I have seen many cases where not only their parents were unable to provide financial support, but actually against the idea of them continuing to study, and yet now they are successful academically.
In fact yours truly were not from the financially well family too. I am the living evidence to nullify the theory above. My father was a primary school teacher with a regular salary; however I can honestly say that some of the so called farmers in my kampong were well off financially than us. I think we were having some serious financial management problems in those days.
I remember in primary school, my pocket money to school was only 20 cents. Of course other student did not have any, but there were lots more who have more than mine. My cousin was given 50 cents, some friends I know brings RM1 to school. That must be luxury back in 1980’s.
Of course with those 20 cents I have, I could only buy two pieces of pisang goreng (fried banana fritters) or one pack of fried noodle. Lucky for us, we were given pack of milk (by government) in most of the school days. Other than that, packing food from home was a norm.
When I was staying in a secondary school hostel, pocket money was given to me only once in several months. The pocket money was usually no more than RM20 for 2 to 3 months. I remember one occasion in Form Four, when I was unable to buy a work book which cost slightly more than RM10. It happened when the last time I received pocket money was several months ago.
While everyone else bought the book almost instantly (even the idea that they constantly have more than RM10 in their wallet at anytime was tantalizing to me at that time), I had to lie to my teacher. I told him that I had to go to the bank and get some money and only be able to buy the book next day. (I mean, how many of you guys really have to go to bank just to get RM10. In those days, ATM card was rarity among student).
The fact was, in that afternoon after finished school, I went back to my kampong. I left the hostel without permission, borrowed a bus fare from a friend and walk for 2 miles to get to my house. (The last part of the journey’s vehicle has left by the time I got there). Of course I managed to get the money from my parents, but not without difficulties and some tears. Money was a constant issue.
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