KUALA LUMPUR: The cost of constructing a classroom has more than doubled over the past ten years, according to the Education Ministry.
The ministry said, citing the Public Works Department’s (JKR) documents, that between 2016 and 2020, the estimated cost for the construction of a classroom was between RM180,000 and RM250,000.
“For the period from 2021 to 2026, this cost increased to between RM280,000 and RM520,000. These estimates cover only the cost of the building block, namely classrooms, staircases, corridors and toilets,” it said in a parliamentary written reply dated Jan 28.
The above estimates do not yet take into account the total cost of all components involved in the construction of a new school, which includes preliminary works, earthworks and the development of complete infrastructure, as well as the payment of professional fees and development charges to local authorities,” it added.
Administration blocks, Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) blocks, special-purpose rooms, sports fields, furniture, equipment and fittings which are in accordance with prescribed educational standards are the additional cost components that have to be factored into the overall cost calculation.
“Project costs may increase where there are requirements for logistics, earthworks, external infrastructure development, utility coordination, payments to local authorities, as well as the procurement of furniture and equipment. Accordingly, in certain areas, cost increases will occur based on the 2025 Schedule of Rates prepared by JKR,” it said.
For the implementation period of school projects, the pre-construction phase, which is from approval to the issuance of the Letter of Acceptance (SST), will depend on the implementation method and the requirement to carry out Value Management (VM) according to the Economy Ministry’s Circular No. 1/2024,” it added.
The ministry said the timeline for the completion of the project is determined according to the JKR’s client charter.
“For example, for projects with a cost exceeding RM25mil, the stipulated construction period is 36 months. However, this timeframe is dynamic and may change depending on existing constraints at the construction site. Subsequently, once the project is completed, the school will commence operations after furniture and equipment have been provided and administrative arrangements have been finalised,” it said.
Since 2010, there have been 55 projects under the Education Ministry that have taken more than five years to complete, involving one project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, four projects under the Tenth Malaysia Plan and 50 projects under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan,” it added.
It attributed the delays to poor contractor performance, which resulted in contract termination and the need to appoint a completion contractor; significant disruption caused by the Movement Control Order (MCO) during 2020–2021, logistical challenges and resource shortages, particularly for projects located in remote areas.
“The Education Ministry will continue to give its full attention to ensuring that all these projects are completed as soon as possible for the benefit of the public,” it said.
The ministry was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan) on the detailed cost of constructing a classroom by cost component, type of school, urban/rural location and state for each year from 2015 to 2025.
He also asked about the average time taken for a school to be completed, from the year of approval until occupation and the total number of school projects that have exceeded five years.
