PUTRAJAYA will spend RM1.6 billion to replace 148 dilapidated schools under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to create a more conducive environment for pupils, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

He said work on the schools will be carried out from this year.

Ismail said apart from the expenditure to replace the schools, the government will also build four school complexes and five new schools with a cost of RM848 million.

“To be a high-income nation, talent development is crucial.

“Therefore, the education system needs to produce quality and highly skilled human capital to meet the needs of the industry,” he said in Dewan Rakyat during the 12MP speech.

Ismail said that the education system for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will be strengthened to provide students with technological change, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

He also said the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes will be strengthened by improving the ecosystem.

This, he said, includes improving the programme quality through the accreditation, recognition and certification of international bodies as well as introducing a TVET institutional rating system.

“A centralized platform for TVET supply and demand data will be developed.

“A more flexible higher education system will be established, and collaboration with industry enhanced to improve the quality of graduates and meet industry needs.”

Ismail added that digital education plans at schools and tertiary levels will be introduced to ensure greater access to quality education.

He said it will include upgrading the facilities of several public universities, including Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia.

“The main focus is on improving the entire education system of the country, as well as addressing (mismatches) in the job market.” – September 27, 2021.