KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will spend nearly RM15bil to build new schools and replace ageing ones, as Putrajaya steps up efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps in Sabah and Sarawak, says Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said 131 new and replacement school projects, costing a total of RM14.789bil, have been approved for the period between 2023 and 2027.
She said nine projects were approved in 2023, 26 in 2024, 44 in 2025, 38 in 2026, and a final 14 scheduled for 2027.
“Special attention has also been given to Sabah and Sarawak to narrow the gap in educational facilities and ensure more equitable access to quality education,” she said when winding up the debate on Budget 2027 for her ministry in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
On school safety, Fadhlina said the ministry was also expanding the installation of CCTV cameras in schools as part of efforts to tackle bullying and disciplinary problems.
She said RM3mil was allocated for CCTVs at 200 schools in 2025, RM5mil for 333 schools in 2026, and a further RM15mil set aside for 2027.
“The cameras will be installed in high-risk areas, including blind spots, corridors, storerooms and areas surrounding hostel blocks,” she said.
Fadhlina added that camera placements will adhere to technical advice from the Office of the Chief Government Security Officer to balance student safety and privacy.
According to her, the ministry has also deployed 300 assistant hostel wardens this year to conduct targeted night patrols, with the number expected to increase to 500 in 2027 following the initiative’s effectiveness in preventing bullying incidents.
In addition, she said 560 teachers had undergone training as occupational safety and health coordinators in collaboration with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
She said the training aims to bolster physical safety audits across schools, targeting high-risk areas like secluded toilets and dimly lit spaces.
