TUMPAT: A teenage girl who dreams of becoming a doctor and her younger brother who hopes to join the army have been forced to drop out of school due to their family’s financial hardship.
Nur Auni Asna Mohd Norhisham, 16, and her brother Mohammad Nor Hilman, 14, from Kampung Ketil in Pengkalan Kubor, left school a year ago as their single mother, Sapiah Dolah, 38, could no longer afford the cost of their education.
The siblings, who were placed in top classes at their school, remain eager to continue their studies — but financial constraints have put their dreams on hold, Harian Metro reported.
“With a heavy heart, I decided to quit school because I had to think about my family’s financial situation, as my mother is the sole breadwinner,” said Nur Auni.
“My dream is to be a doctor, and my brother wants to join the army. But it may never come true.”
According to Nur Auni, her mother earns a modest income selling vegetables at a local stall, leaving them with no pocket money or means to cover school-related expenses.
“For now, only my two younger siblings, aged 12 and eight, are still in school. We don’t know if their situation will end up like ours,” she said.
Despite leaving school, Nur Auni said she keeps in touch with her former classmates and still hopes to return to her studies one day.
Meanwhile, Sapiah said she has been raising her four children alone since her husband disappeared a few years ago. She earns about RM50 to RM55 a day and pays RM250 a month in rent.
“I do feel guilty that two of my children had to stop schooling, but what choice do I have?” she said.
“I’m struggling to afford daily meals — how could I possibly cover school expenses?”
The family recently received a visit from the Cempaka Merah Asnaf Society, a non-governmental organisation led by Che Norhayati Mohamed, who offered to assist the siblings in continuing their education.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
