Education Ministry exploring ways to efficiently monitor aid allocations to schools through PTA

KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts are underway to efficiently monitor aid allocations channelled to government schools through School Management Boards and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said there were several dimensions on how the funds would be channelled to schools.

"Most of it will be managed by the State Education Department or District Education Offices.

"We are also exploring how funds channelled through the School Management Boards and PTAs can be monitored efficiently," she said during her winding up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review (12MP MTR) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Sept 19).

Fadhlina was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam).

Dr Wee had asked about the mechanism used to channel aid allocations to needy schools.

"If repairs are needed, will the allocations be channelled directly to the State Education Department or the school’s Management Board.

"How is it done?" Dr Wee asked.

Dr Wee also suggested that the Education Ministry prioritise repairs for schools, especially those facing safety issues.

The MCA president also raised the issue of wiring systems, adding that it was one of the most common issues that posed a threat to students.

"I want to know the government’s stance on whether the RM1.4bil additional allocation will be used for wiring systems as it is one of the most critical components when it comes to school repairs," he said.

This was in reference to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announcing an additional allocation of RM1.4bil for the repair of dilapidated schools earlier this year.

To this, Fadhlina said no schools would be left out when it came to aid allocations.

"The allocation also depends on the type of application made.

"At the same time, there are also allocations given to all Education Ministry schools, for toilet maintenance, among others," she said.

Parliament is currently having a six-day special sitting to debate the 12th MP MTR.