Compiled by LIEW JIA XIAN and C. ARUNO

       EDUCATIONIST group United Chinese School Teachers’ Association (Jiao Zong) thanked the government for the RM100 allocation for teachers to buy teaching aids in Budget 2022 but it urged for the amount to be increased, reports Sin Chew Daily.

       Its president Cheah Lek Aee pointed out that many teachers had to purchase equipment on their own to facilitate online learning during the movement control order period.

       This, he said, had increased the financial burden of many teachers.

       “I hope the Education Ministry can provide more teaching equipment to strengthen both teaching and learning,” he said.

       It was earlier reported that a one-off payment of RM100 will be provided to more than 400,000 teachers under the Special Incentives for Teaching Aids during the announcement of Budget 2022.

       A total of RM450mil had been allocated for early school aid for a total of three million students – with each student receiving RM150.

       Another RM1bil was announced for school maintenance and repair work, out of which RM120mil will be allocated to some 1,800 Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools.

       Cheah added that the RM120mil was a much-welcomed increase over the RM104mil in Budget 2021.

       > A female butcher in Luoyang, China, drew in crowds with her stunning looks and skills with the knife, reports China Press.

       The 26-year-old butcher has gained Internet fame with fans reportedly driving several hours to her stall.

       When interviewed, the butcher, whose surname is Yue, revealed that she got into the trade at age 13 and would help at her parents’ stall.

       Married with three kids, Yue said she hopes to provide a better future for her children.

       > A private event in China’s Jiangxi province drew heavy criticisms online after a video of a pole dancing performance during the event was leaked online, reports China Press.

       Video footage taken during the Fourth Meeting of the Jiangxi Municipal Piping Association showed scantily dressed women performing several sexy numbers on stage.

       While many criticised the performance as being vulgar and distasteful, others defended the performance, saying that pole dancing was an art form.

       ● The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.