KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has pledged that the welfare of children will not be neglected, following the historic allocation of RM64.1 billion provided in the 2025 Budget (Belanjawan 2025), the largest in the nation's history.
Its minister Fadhlina Sidek said the announcement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the budget presentation yesterday underscored that all children would greatly benefit from the allocation, including through the construction of new schools, as well as the continued commitment to improving dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
"We would like to express our gratitude to the Prime Minister (Anwar) for the allocation, (as) it signifies a major shift in two significant areas.
"First, it reflects the government's strong commitment to education, especially given the substantial allocation.
"Secondly, it ensures that none of our children will be left behind and they will benefit from initiatives such as the construction of new schools, prayer rooms, and the improvement of dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
"There are also other commitments related to the welfare of children, school assistance and the (increase) allocation for the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT)," she told a press conference after launching the 2024 Sustainable Early Intervention Carnival here today.
In other areas, Fadhlina added that the announcement of 11 Permata Kurnia Centres, which provide preschool education and early intervention for children with autism, as well as the establishment of two schools focused on children with special needs in Johor and Sabah, was also significant.
"Overall, the budget meets the needs of all our children.
"Hence, we (the ministry) hope that our commitment aligns with the desired quality of education in the country.
"With this significant commitment from the Madani government, the ministry also aims to continue elevating education in the country."
The government announced yesterday that RM64.1 billion will be allocated to the ministry through the 2025 Budget, the highest in history.
The allocation exceeds the RM58.7 billion provided to the ministry this year.
RM2 billion of the amount is for school upgrading projects and maintenance nationwide. This includes RM1 billion specifically for the maintenance of all types of schools, particularly those with dilapidated classrooms, including Chinese, Tamil, religious schools, schools in military camps and Special Education schools.
Another RM1 billion will be used to upgrade inadequate infrastructure in 543 schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, RM870 will be allocated for RMT next year, an increase from the RM784 million allocated this year.