ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor has set aside RM163mil under the 2026 state budget to drive the state’s education agenda, in a push to give students better access to learning opportunities.
Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the allocation reflected the state’s commitment to strengthening schools, supporting students and easing the financial burden on families.
“The budget also enhanced the state’s information portfolio through RM174.8mil covering 35 key initiatives benefiting students, teachers, youth, media practitioners and school frontliners.
“One of the biggest programmes is the Back To School assistance, which has been allocated RM28.8mil.
“Through this programme, a total of 189,000 students from B40 and asnaf families, about 2,000 per state constituency, will receive school uniforms,“ he said at the sidelines of the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar here on Thursday (Nov 20).
He noted that Johor has also set aside RM1.4mil to provide flight ticket assistance for Johor students studying in Sabah and Sarawak, along with free bus services for public higher education institution students in the peninsula during major festive seasons.
The move aims to ease travel costs for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, said, adding that the allocations are part of the overall RM2.536bil state budget tabled by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi last Thursday.
Earlier during the question-and-answer session of the sitting, Aznan highlighted the role of the Johor Education Fund, which has channelled significant aid this year to help young Johoreans further their studies.
He said the state, through Yayasan Pelajaran Johor, has channelled RM18.3mil for interest-free education loans for 2,500 Johor students pursuing certificate, diploma and degree programmes at selected public and private institutions nationwide.
Besides that, he said the state also continues to support high-achieving students through the prestigious Johor Young Talent Scholarship initiative introduced in 2023.
“So far, 14 students are currently sponsored under the programme, including four already pursuing degrees abroad - one at Columbia University in the United States and three in the United Kingdom at Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.
“The remaining 10 are preparing for overseas entry through A-Level studies at Kolej Yayasan UEM, with six expected to begin their university studies abroad next year,” he said.
