PETALING JAYA: Education is not just about results, but about raising “good, grounded human beings”, says Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.
Welcoming the measures announced in Budget 2026 as “signs of progress”, she said PAGE hopes the new allocations will translate into real improvements in classrooms — where students feel safe, teachers feel supported, and learning goes beyond exams.
“We want to see an education system that nurtures not only bright minds but also kind and resilient hearts. Every allocation should reflect care for our children’s growth, their well-being, and their future,” she told The Star.
Noor Azimah said education is not just about results, but about raising good, grounded human beings.
Budget 2026 places strong emphasis on strengthening Malaysia’s education system, with RM66.2bil allocated to the Education Ministry, an increase from RM64.1bil last year.
Nearly RM2bil will be used to upgrade more than 520 dilapidated schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, while 38 new schools will be built nationwide to meet population growth.
A further RM115mil is earmarked for teacher training in preparation for the 2027 curriculum and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and RM700mil will go toward building 35 additional blocks for special needs students.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) also receives a boost, with allocations rising to RM7.9bil to enhance technical training and employability.
Programmes such as the Supplementary Food Plan (RMT), Early Schooling Aid, and special-needs allowances will continue.
Noor Azimah said the government’s approach signals a positive shift, treating education as a long-term investment rather than an annual expense.
She added that lasting change would depend on how well these plans are implemented, especially in strengthening facilities and teacher support in rural and semi-rural areas.
“These are necessary and helpful efforts, and we will see improvements with consistent follow-through. While they may not fully resolve long-standing issues in the short term, stronger resourcing, quicker implementation, and tighter oversight will eventually bring sustained improvements,” she said.
Calling the teacher training fund a “positive and necessary step”, she said it could help teachers adapt to the upcoming curriculum, which focuses on literacy, numeracy and lighter classroom content.
“Pair the training with more incentives, infrastructure support, housing, community integration and clearer career pathways, then you may be able to keep teachers where they’re most needed,” she added.
Looking ahead, Noor Azimah said future reforms should empower teachers and principals to make more school-level decisions and give parents a stronger voice
Sharing the same sentiment, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said Budget 2026 reflects the Madani government’s continued commitment to education.
“The increased allocation and continuation of key programmes such as RMT, Early Schooling Aid and school development demonstrate that education remains a core national agenda. NUTP remains committed to working closely with the Education Ministry to ensure that every initiative is implemented effectively for the benefit of teachers and students nationwide,” he said.
He lauded the RM700mil allocation for 35 additional blocks for special needs students, calling it “a reflection of growing awareness and concern for their needs”.
He urged that sites be accessible and disability-friendly, and praised the continuation of the RM150 allowance for special needs students, which “helps ease the financial burden of their families”.
Fouzi added that the union hopes projections for the construction of new schools will be matched with teacher recruitment planning to prevent shortages of teaching staff.
“In previous years, a total of 44 new schools were approved, and the addition of another 38 this year proves that investment in education remains a national priority,” he said.
