WHILE the Budget 2019 allocation for upgrading schools has been welcomed, there is a far more urgent need for funds to go to maintenance.

The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan welcomed the RM652 million budget to upgrade schools, but urged the government to focus on maintenance and safety as well. 

“Maintenance at schools and institutions of higher learning has become a sore point for teachers.

“Nationals schools are not getting enough allocation for maintenance, only for infrastructure work,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng today announced that the government had allocated RM652 million in Budget 2019 for the upgrading of schools, compared with RM615 million allocated in 2018.

Tan said teachers and students expected better facilities at schools where they have to spend long hours.

“What they have to put up with are broken toilet doors and poor lighting, while some schools don’t even have fencing.”

He said that one of their main concerns was the lack of traffic wardens at high-volume schools. 

“There must be more allocations to make schools safer.

“The money should also reach target areas like rural schools.”

He also said that it was difficult for schools to get allocations for minor repairs. 

“Even though some tables and chairs can be used, they should have more comfortable furniture. 

“Even fluorescent lights have a shelf life and go dim, so they need to be replaced to make classrooms brighter. 

“There must also be better teaching aids for teachers as there is a wealth of knowledge online.” – November 2, 2018.