KOTA KINABALU: Some 100 students received a free haircut in a one-day back-to-school programme in the city on Sunday (Jan 9).

       The event, organised by the Sabah Progressive Party in collaboration with Hairmix 33 Salon, was aimed at easing the burdens of parents while encouraging students to get into the mood of going back to school.

       SAPP vice youth chief Dexter Chin said it was also held in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebrations.

       "The students can enjoy a fresher look for 2022 and the coming Chinese New Year without burdening their parents’ wallets," he said Monday (Jan 10).

       Saloon owner Hiew Nyuk Lin felt glad and honoured to be part of the event.

       "Watching the smiling faces of these students with neat hairstyles gave every one of us hair-stylists a high level of satisfaction," he said and hopes more similar programmes could be held.

       Meanwhile, a total of 1,075 government primary schools with 320,912 pupils and 218 secondary schools in Sabah with 215,483 students have started classes on Monday.

       Also started their classes on Monday were 18 private primary schools and 20 private secondary schools with 7,149 students.