KUALA LUMPUR: Government cost-saving measures in drafting Budget 2027 will not affect the Education Ministry’s key plans, mainly in the recruitment of new teachers and building additional classrooms.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (pic), who disclosed this, also gave assurance that the measures would not disrupt beneficiaries of the Supplementary Food Programme, which she said is essential for nutritional intake.
She said repairs to dilapidated schools and building maintenance will continue as usual.
“Although the call for cost-saving measures is very important at this time, I would like to assure that it will not affect or disrupt matters closely related to the ministry’s priorities,” she said after officiating the international symposium on literature, translation and artificial intelligence at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka here yesterday, Bernama reported.
She said the ministry will also ensure that cost-saving steps will not affect the rollout of the new curriculum next year and intake of six-year-olds into Year One.
On May 29, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted that Budget 2027 will be drafted with greater emphasis on cost- saving measures amid mounting global economic pressures affecting the country’s fiscal position, including those involving the Education and Higher Education Ministries.
He said global geopolitical uncertainties – including escalating tensions following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran – have impacted the global economy, thus requiring more prudent government spending.
On the RM100 book voucher for secondary students under the Education Ministry and students of public higher education institutions as announced by the Prime Minister during the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026 last week, Fadhlina said it will be distributed once the school session resumes.
