Budget 2024: RM58.7bil allocation shows education remains a national priority

PUTRAJAYA: The RM58.7bil allocation for education, the largest in Budget 2024, proves that this continues to be given priority to ensure that the aspiration to build a viable and globally competitive Malaysia will be achieved, says the Education Ministry.

It said a total of RM2.5bil has been allocated for the construction of 26 new schools including Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Laya-laya (Sabah); SMK Baie (Sarawak); SMK Seri Melati (Pahang); SMK Bandar Universiti (Perak), and SMK Binjai in Kelantan, while RM82 million is provided for the construction of 26 new preschool buildings.

“The Education Ministry bears a great responsibility to ensure that the allocations given in the Budget 2024 will be utilised in the best possible way and have an impact on the development of the country’s education,” it said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 14).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 13), said education remains the main component that receives allocations in the national budget planning with Education Ministry allocated RM58.7bil, compared with RM55.2bil this year.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry said that RM1.9bil is to upgrade and maintain schools nationwide, which is RM930mil for improving dilapidated buildings and facilities at 450 schools with 185 projects in Sarawak and 155 projects in Sabah.

“RM1bil is for the maintenance of all types of schools including special education schools with a focus on the needs of autistic students,” it said.

The government also allocated RM220mil for the development of two new Islamic education institutions including Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Jempol, Negri Sembilan which is under the Education Ministry.

Budget 2024 is also expanding the income criteria for parents applying for the Federal Small Scholarship for their children, based on the Poverty Income Line of RM2,589 from RM1,500.

“To ensure that children from poor families do not miss out on education, the government has also agreed to extend the Poor Students’ Trust Fund assistance to Form Three students which was previously provided to Form One students and this will benefit one million students with an allocation of RM150million,” it said.

It said RM100mil was provided for the empowerment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) specifically to maintain and upgrade school computer laboratories as well as the acquisition of new equipment for STEM learning.

Budget 2024 also takes into account infrastructure and support equipment for students with special needs (MBPK) involving the allocation of RM180mil for the construction of 18 new special needs blocks.

These include SMK Kubang Rotan in Kedah, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Perda (Penang) and SMK Dato’ Ali Ahmad, Perlis, it said.

Another RM30mil has also been set aside to supply special education support equipment and provide disabled-friendly facilities in schools and RM100mil has also been set aside to implement a holistic approach involving all parties in helping students affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Education Ministry also welcomes the government’s initiative to provide a total of RM2.4bil to build, maintain and refurbish civil servant quarters including teachers’ quarters. The ministry will also emphasise the application of ‘karamah insaniah’ (human dignity) among students,” it said. – BK