I REFER to the report, '$500k relief on preschool fees' (my paper, March 4).

It is laudable that OCBC Bank, together with other donors, has set up a scheme to help retrenched parents pay for their children's preschool fees.

The amount of $500,000 set aside for the scheme would go a long way towards helping needy families; at the very least, it could bring cheer and hope to those disadvantaged by these gloomy economic times.

With the downturn, many families are struggling to make ends meet.

Parents who have been retrenched will have difficulty paying their preschoolers' fees.

Some parents have even contemplated not sending their children to preschool classes because of financial problems.

This is the harsh reality that some children may have to face.

The funds from the scheme will be a good supplement to the assistance offered by community- based self-help groups like the Singapore Indian Development Association, Chinese Development Assistance Council and Mendaki, which are gearing up to help meet the educational needs of children from low-income families.

I hope the act of kindness and generosity displayed by OCBC Bank and other donors will persuade others to come forward and help the less fortunate.

Mr Sebastian Tan

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