Budget 2027: RM1.3 bln to upgrade 682 dilapidated schools with focus on Sarawak, Sabah

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo credit: Pixabay/NeiFo

By DayakDaily Team

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9: Nearly RM1.3 billion has been allocated under Budget 2027 to upgrade 682 dilapidated schools, with particular focus on schools in Sabah and Sarawak.

During the tabling of Budget 2027 at Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the allocation comes as the Education Ministry retains the largest share of the national budget, receiving nearly RM69 billion, up from RM66.2 billion this year.

The government will also double the allocation for repairing and maintaining all types of schools from RM1 billion to RM2 billion.

Of the increased allocation, RM900 million will go to national schools, RM100 million to Chinese national-type schools (SJKC), and RM50 million to Tamil national-type schools (SJKT).

Anwar said the higher allocation for Tamil schools was necessary despite their relatively smaller student population, given the poor condition of their infrastructure and the urgent need for improvements.

Meanwhile, the allocation for registered religious schools, tahfiz institutions, and pondok schools under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) will increase to RM200 million.

The allocation will also expand to cover operational assistance for these institutions. —DayakDaily