By: William Chai
KUCHING: The SMK Batu Lintang school compound here was been turned into a market place when students, with guidance and help from their teachers and parents, put up stalls for a food fair organised by the parent-teacher association (PTA) of the school.
Visitors, mainly parents, relatives and friends and students thronged the stalls as early as 7am.
A total of 78 stalls were set up by each of the 51 classes and 24 clubs and societies from the school, one by PTA and two by supporters from outside the school.
A wide variety of food and drinks which include local delicacies like ayam pansuh, noodles, fried chicken, nasi lemak, cakes, fruits and so on. There were books, clothing, household items, potted plants and fruit tree seedlings on sale. There were also game stalls, photography booth and carom competition booths.
Aside from raising funds, the food fair also provided an opportunity for the students to learn the skills necessary in food handling and doing business.
Each class set up their own working committee to get themselves organised, right from the planning, budgeting, buying of ingredients and merchandise for the stall, as well as getting the experience in the selling process.
Some supportive parents offered to help with the cooking at the stalls.
The president of the PTA Lee Kiat Ming said that the funds raised from the food fair will be used for upgrading, repairing and maintenance of the school facilities, like lightings and fans in the classrooms, repairing the toilets, and roofing of the staff room.
It will also be used to subsidise the expenses of students who are go for competitions at national and international levels.
The principal Bahtiar Afandi welcomed the sense of togetherness in making the event a success.
