JOHOR BARU: The Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools (SRBJ) initiative will undergo a rapid transformation worth RM30mil, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said the initiative is part of the state's plan to develop world-class education and position Johor as a leading state by 2030.
“The Johor government has allocated RM6mil, and RM24mil has been pledged by corporate partners investing in Johor, bringing the total support for SRBJ to RM30mil.
"Student success is not the responsibility of schools alone. It must be a whole-of-community effort. If SRBJ succeeds, we can expand this model to many more schools across Johor," he added.
He said this during a speech at the SRBJ Parents and Teachers Sharing Session at SMK Tasek Utara on Saturday (May 10).
He added that the SRBJ initiative was inspired by the vision of the Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, who was concerned about the challenges faced by children in a digital and borderless world.
"The Johor Regent does not want our children to be left behind. His vision is to produce the best children in the country, who can compete on equal footing with their peers globally," he said.
The four selected schools are SMK Tasek Utara, SK Tasek Utara, SMK Kota Puteri, and SK Kota Puteri 4.
They were chosen from over 1,190 schools in the state to pilot the initiative.
“These schools are equipped with smart classrooms, AI-integrated computer labs, upgraded canteens, teachers' lounges, amphitheatres, outdoor learning hubs, and performance studios. We want every teacher to be comfortable and every student to thrive,” he said.
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Onn Hafiz emphasised the importance of academic excellence, noting that SRBJ students will sit for the PSLE and IGCSE examinations alongside the SPM within the next two years.
“If they fail the PSLE or IGCSE, we will have failed the SRBJ mission,” he warned, urging full collaboration between teachers, parents, and the government.
He added that all SRBJ students from Year 4 onwards, as well as their teachers, will receive tablets to enhance digital learning.
These are not for games, said Onn Hafiz, but to expose students to cutting-edge technology.
The devices and training are sponsored by the Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
Onn Hafiz also highlighted Johor’s recent economic achievements, stating that foreign direct investments (FDI) hit RM27bil in the first quarter of 2025 alone — surpassing the RM20bil recorded for the whole of January to September in 2024.
“With high-paying job opportunities coming into Johor, we want our children to study, succeed, and serve right here in Johor,” he said.
