EFFORTS to repair dilapidated schools throughout the country will be carried out in a fair manner through development projects to be announced by the government, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said her ministry has detailed information related to dilapidated schools and plans to resolve the issue, in line with one of the aspirations under the ministry’s seven main thrusts.

“All states have (dilapidated schools), that is why I think the announcement (of development projects) will make it easier to focus on development in each state,” she told reporters after officiating at the West Malaysia Malay Teachers Union Seminar in Alor Setar last night.

She was asked to comment on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement yesterday that the government will prioritise immediate solutions to the issue of dilapidated schools in the country for the welfare of students and to boost the country’s education standards.

Fadhlina said the upgrading of dilapidated schools will be done in phases, and the most important phase is after the tabling of Budget 2023 on February 24.

She also said her ministry welcomed the prime minister’s call for it to receive feedback from students and school staff.

She said the ministry has no problem accepting constructive views or criticism because they are important to help strengthen the education system.

“However, if it is ‘destructive’ criticism, it will destroy many things we have already built. So I welcome this call, and I think this is one of the safe spaces if we can criticise constructively and hold discussions to build a better education (system) for Malaysia,” she said. – Bernama, February 12, 2023.