KOTA BARU, MALAYSIA: Two secondary schools have raised almost RM6,300 (S$2,628) towards the NSTP Fund for Gaza.

The students and teachers of SMK Kubang Bemban in Pasir Mas spent two days collecting RM4,778 while SMK Alor Pasir in Tanah Merah's one-day fund raising effort raised RM1,515.

Both schools sent representatives to NST's branch office here yesterday to hand over the donations.

SMK Kubang Bemban's headmaster Norashimah Ab. Rashid said the students and teaching staff wanted to help ease the sufferings of the victims.

"We were talking about the plight of the Palestinians and one teacher then suggested that we do more than just talk.

"That's when we came up with the idea of raising awareness about the plight of the Palestinians among our students.

"We held screenings of video clips and talks, performed Solat Hajat and passed the hat around for two days.

"We were surprised when some of our students put in as much as RM50 from their savings," she said, adding that the school planned to continue the fundraising effort.

SMK Alor Pasir's teacher Sanusi Yusof said their pupils were mostly from poor families but they wanted to chip in and help by donating their meagre savings.

"We try and do the best we can."