The St Xavier’s Institution in Penang is one of the 429 missionary schools.
THE allocation of RM50mil for mission schools under Budget 2020 is well-received with much gratitude from mission schools in the country.
Federation of Christian Mission Schools of Malaysia chairman Moey Yoke Lai said the federation was grateful to the government for the allocation.
“We desperately need the money as there are 429 schools headed by 25 mission authorities and many of them need funds for upgrade and maintenance of the schools.
“We are delighted that the government has given us the recognition for the role we play in the country’s education sector, ” she said.
Moey said the government had been giving RM50mil annually in the last three years, but RM100mil annually from 2009 until 2016.
“Only in 2017 did we get one third of the RM50mil.
“We need a lot of funds to run the schools and hope the government would look at allocating RM100mil in the 2021 Budget if the financial situation improves.”
Moey said the government had been consistent in disbursing the funds compared to the 1970s where there was no funding and the mission schools had to use internal funds for upkeep of the schools.
Restaurant owner S. Chandresan, 45, who has a daughter studying at SMK Convent Greenlane said it was good of the government to allocate RM50mil.
“There are many who think that the government does not allocate funds for mission schools.
“The allocation proves that the government recognises these schools and the money would go a long way in the maintenance of these schools, ” he said.
