KUALA LUMPUR: RM2bil was allocated to upgrade and maintain schools nationwide under next year’s budget.
Half of it will be dedicated to fixing up various school types including national, Chinese, Tamil, religious schools, military camp schools and special education institutions for persons with disabilities (PwD), said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the remaining RM1bil will focus on upgrading inadequate infrastructure in 543 schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
"The Education Ministry has been allocated RM64.1bil, marking the highest budget in history,” he said when presenting the budget in Parliament on Friday (Oct 18).
"My priority remains to ensure a comfortable, safe and meaningful learning environment for our children,” he said, while also announcing the construction of 44 new schools beginning next year.
Anwar who is also Finance Minister added that the government will also implement a fixed broadband connectivity programme, allocating RM100mil for this initiative, to enhance internet access in rural and remote schools.
“The existing Point of Presence (POP) projects will also continue, with over RM800mil earmarked for improvement,” he added.
"Alhamdulillah, thanks to everyone's efforts, we have successfully repaired toilets in over 8,300 schools in a short timeframe. Our next focus will be to improve other facilities, such as canteens and prayer rooms, with an allocation of RM100 million,” he said.
Anwar further noted that next year, a RM5.3bil allocation will support 17 types of educational assistance.
They include hostel food assistance (RM2bil), supplementary food programme (RM870mil), early schooling aid (almost RM800mil), and a trust fund for poor students (RM180mil).
To improve educational access for students from low-income families, Anwar announced that the government would allow salary or wage payments to educators by institutions and organisations, with educational objectives approved under subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967 to be considered as welfare expenses.
He said the per capita grant (PCG) rate for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will be increased by 15%, bringing the total PCG allocation to over RM900mil.
"Since 2002, the PCG rate for TVET has not been reviewed. The PCG is the main source of financing for schools, and the old rate no longer adequately covers the rising costs of education.
"Schools with fewer students in rural areas also rely on the same PCG method, meaning fewer students lead to less funding,” he said. - Bernama
