THE Education Ministry (MOE), which received the largest allocation in Budget 2024, is committed to ensuring that all plans will be executed responsibly.

Minister Fadhlina Sidek welcomes the RM58.7 billion allocation, saying it was for her ministry’s efforts in humanising education over the years.

“Alhamdulillah, MOE still receives the largest allocation. In the policy context, the country’s future education is the most crucial aspect,” she told reporters after officiating the 2023 Perlis-level National Sports Day celebrations today.

Yesterday, the media reported that MOE received the biggest allocation in Budget 2024, which is RM58.7 billion, compared to RM55.2 billion in 2023.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, said RM1.9 billion had been set aside for upgrading and maintenance of schools nationwide.

In addition, 26 new schools will be built at a cost of RM2.5 billion. These would include SMK Laya-laya in Tuaran, Sabah; SMK Baie in Bintulu, Sarawak; SMK Seri Melati in Kuantan, Pahang; SMK Bandar Universiti in Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak; and SMK Binjai in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

As part of the efforts to empower and protect the wellbeing of special-needs students, 18 new special-needs blocks will be built with an allocation of RM180 million at SMK Kubang Rotan in Kedah, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Perda in Penang and SMK Dato Ali Ahmad in Perlis.

Fadhlina said this is the biggest allocation for school construction the ministry had ever received. – Bernama, October 14, 2023.