JOHOR BARU: The construction of 10 new schools in Johor, part of the Education Ministry’s plan to build 38 schools nationwide under Budget 2026, will meet the state’s growing education demands, say stakeholders.
National Parents, Community and Private Sector Involvement chairman Datuk Yahya Jaafar said this will ease overcrowding issues, especially in Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang.
“The allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is very timely as it will help address overcrowding in many schools here.
“Some schools in Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang currently have enrolments exceeding 2,000 students, far above their intended capacity.
“The economic growth taking place in Johor, such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), has attracted people from other states seeking better job opportunities.
“Many areas are developing rapidly, with new housing projects bringing in thousands of families.
“The education infrastructure must grow in tandem with the population increase,” he said.
Yahya said there should also be sufficient teaching staff, modern facilities and technological readiness.
“It’s not just about new buildings, but about equipping schools with the right resources. Classrooms need digital tools, teachers need proper training and schools should have access to community and private sector partnerships,” he said.
Yahya stressed that collaboration between the Education Ministry, state agencies and the private sector is crucial to ensure the new schools meet the needs of local communities and remain sustainable in the long run.
State education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the new schools will be strategically built in areas with rapid population growth and housing development.
He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure and ensuring Johor’s young generation receives the best learning environment.
Aznan said the schools to be built in Johor are SK Taman Perling 4, SK Bukit Siput, SK Taman Setia Indah, SMK Taman Aspira, SMK Laman Estuari, SMK Bandar Penawar 2, SMK Bandar Putra 3, SMK Cahaya Masai and SMK Taman Cendana as well as the Bandar Layangkasa School Complex.
The Education Ministry received the largest allocation under Budget 2026, amounting to RM66.2bil, up from RM64.2bil the previous year.
Anwar said the allocation was in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan, which lays the foundation for comprehensive educational reform to create a more agile and future-ready learning system.
A total of 38 new schools and two new special education secondary schools will be built to meet community needs, while another RM100mil has been allocated to build additional classrooms in more than 100 high-density schools nationwide.
