Guidelines for Schools on Retention of Prizes Won during Competitions

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Education (Schools) whether there is a policy to guide schools in deciding on the retention of prizes, especially cash prizes or those with cash value, won by students representing the schools during competitions.

Schools set their own internal guidelines in managing prizes won by student representatives in competitions. This is done based on factors, such as the school's education philosophy, type of prizes and competition rules.

Some schools have a practice that book vouchers are shared equally amongst team members. When cash prizes are given, winners may be encouraged to donate a portion of the cash to support needy students or for their own Co-curricular Activity (CCA). This inculcates in our students a sense of gratitude to the larger community supporting them in the competition, and to pay it forward to benefit fellow students through the school programmes.

The preparation for, and experience of the competition are the most valuable aspects. This is the educational value the students gain, irrespective of prizes won. We will remind schools to explain the purpose of their management of cash prizes to students and parents clearly.