PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry will launch a pilot project for multi-storey schools in Putrajaya, Penang and Kuala Lumpur this year to address overcrowding, particularly in densely populated areas.
In a statement yesterday, the ministry said the initiative was discussed during a high-level management meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The multi-storey school initiative, in collaboration with corporate strategic partners, aims to alleviate overcrowding. This approach reduces costs while ensuring the best infrastructure and access to education.
“The pilot project will be introduced in Putrajaya, Penang and Kuala Lumpur this year,” the ministry said, Bernama reported.
The ministry also announced plans to introduce Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in fully residential schools, with five such institutions selected.
“TVET graduates have an employability rate of over 99%. The current focus is on upskilling to ensure they receive wages on par with their skills,” it said, emphasising the ministry’s role in preparing a skilled and professional workforce to meet the nation’s labour market needs.
“All students must have a strong command of Bahasa Malaysia, while English proficiency is equally important. The primary focus is on enhancing teacher competency and promoting the use of both languages at all levels,” the statement added.
The ministry also noted that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrolment must be expanded across all types of schools. The current enrolment in fully residential schools is at approximately 98%.
“Efforts to increase STEM enrolment in daily schools and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama will also be intensified,” the statement said.
