KUALA LUMPUR: The allocation for repairing and maintaining all types of schools has been doubled from RM1bil to RM2bil under Budget 2027.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, said the allocation for Sekolah Kebangsaan has been increased to RM900mil, Chinese national-type schools (SJKC) to RM100mil and Tamil national-type schools (SJKT) to RM50mil.
He said although the number of students in SJKT is relatively smaller, the dilapidated state of their infrastructure demands immediate attention.
"The allocation for sekolah agama rakyat, tahfiz institutions and pondok schools registered under Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) has been increased to RM200mil. The scope of this allocation will be expanded to cover institutional operational assistance," he said when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 9).
Anwar also said that nearly RM1.3bil has been allocated to upgrade 682 dilapidated schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said that 3,500 additional classrooms are expected to be completed by the end of this year through the Industrialised Building System (IBS) method to accommodate the increase in Year One pupils.
He said nearly 500,000 pupils are expected to enter Year One next year, including more than 70,000 who are six years old.
Anwar said the government will also build new schools, preschool buildings and facilities at existing schools, including at SK Seri Chemor in Ipoh, Perak, and the Bandar Serenia School Complex in Sepang, Selangor.
He said other projects include fully reconstructing SJKT Ladang Pamol in Kluang, Johor; SJKC Bandar Mahkota Cheras; and a preschool building at SK Bulu Silou in Keningau, Sabah.
He added that a new matriculation college is also being built in Marang, Terengganu.
To encourage community participation in creating a quality school environment, Anwar said the Tabung Sumbangan Wang Awam Sekolah (School Public Contribution Fund) would be enhanced so parents, alumni and the community could make voluntary contributions for school operations, facility repairs, equipment purchases and student programmes.
He said cash contributions to the fund are eligible for a tax deduction of up to 10% of aggregate income. - Bernama
