KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in education allocation in the 2025 Budget (Belanjawan 2025) and the focus on three key areas demonstrate the government's commitment to strengthening the country's educational foundation.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Centre of Education and Diversity senior lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad said the RM64.1 billion allocated for the Education Ministry — the highest in history — showed the government's commitment to providing "educational justice" for underprivileged groups while reinforcing the educational foundation.
He said the government's focus on improving school infrastructure and facilities, providing direct assistance to underprivileged students and empowering technical and vocational education and training (TVET) further exemplified this commitment.
"The 2025 Budget continues efforts to strengthen the foundation of national education.
"For this purpose, three main areas have been highlighted, which are allocating funds to upgrade and maintain higher-quality educational infrastructure in all schools, providing a larger dedicated budget to support the education of students from low-income families, and empowering TVET as the latest education stream to offer alternative career paths for school leavers," Anuar said.
He added that the government's plan to build 44 new schools next year was important, particularly to address overcrowding in newly developed urban areas and large cities.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an RM64.1 billion allocation for the Education Ministry next year, up from the RM58.7 allocated this year.
Anwar, who is finance minister, said RM2 billion would be channelled into upgrading projects and the maintenance of schools nationwide, with half dedicated to all types of schools, particularly those with dilapidated classrooms.
He added that RM1 billion would be used to upgrade inadequate infrastructure in 543 schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
The prime minister also announced that the construction of 44 new schools would begin construction next year, which would include SK Bandar Putra Indah in Batu Pahat, Johor; SMK Bandar Seri Putra (2) in Hulu Langat, Selangor; SMK Lok Kawi in Putatan, Sabah; SMK Semeling in Sungai Petani, Kedah; and, SK Dudong in Sibu, Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Anuar cautioned that the government must ensure the effective implementation and efficiency of the national education system.
He said without improvements in these areas, it would be challenging to enhance the quality of education in the country.