WITH generous funds allocated for education from the national budget, the Education Minister said the money will go towards increasing access to a quality education for children across Malaysia.
Fadhlina Sidek said the budget is comprehensive and “all-encompassing”, thus allowing her ministry to further its Humanising Education (Pendidikan Manusiawi) agenda.
“The ministry will continue to work on improving access to quality education, which includes the construction of 26 new schools and 18 new special needs blocks, the upgrading of dilapidated buildings and infrastructure, and maintenance work, among others,” she said, adding that she is grateful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the allocation.
Meanwhile, her deputy Lim Hui Ying said having the largest allocation in Budget 2024 signifies the government’s continuous commitment to talent development.
“Such focus is necessary to propel the nation forward,” she said, adding that she believes the allocation is an enabler to the education reform that the ministry is currently working on.
“It is the people’s budget, meant for all Malaysians. After all, the right to quality education is for everyone regardless of race, religion or social status,” she said.
The ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Nik Nasarudin Mohd Zawawi said it is its responsibility to ensure that all strategic initiatives outlined are carried out responsibly to achieve optimum results.
“This requires meticulous monitoring at all levels to ensure every ringgit spent must be directed towards the education reform agenda,” he said, adding that the allocation is a testament to the importance of education in developing Malaysia Madani.
In a statement, the Education Ministry said Budget 2024, themed the “Second Madani Budget”, is an important effort to preserve the well-being of the people and the country.
“The education aspect continues to be prioritised by the government to ensure that the desire to build a viable Malaysia Madani that is able to compete at the global level is achieved,” it said.
As it works on delivering the nation’s education outcomes, the ministry said it will also be emphasising the application of human dignity among school students.
Therefore, it said, the expansion of this student character formation programme will focus on the values of leadership, character, manners and integrity.
“The Education Ministry bears a great responsibility to ensure that the allocation given in Budget 2024 can be utilised in the best possible way and has an impact on the development of the country’s education,” it said in the statement on Oct 14.
While commending the large allocation for education, National Union of the Teaching Profession of Malaysia (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said he hopes the funds will be put to good use for the benefit of teachers, students and schools.
“We earnestly request that the construction of the 26 new schools be prioritised and subjected to rigorous monitoring. This is to ensure a judicious and transparent utilisation of the allocated resources, resulting in the construction of robust and well-built educational facilities,” he said.
The NUTP, he added, is deeply appreciative of the RM180mil allocation for special education, along with RM30mil for the procurement of specialised educational equipment, he added.
Budget 2024 also saw focus being given to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with a cross-ministerial Special STEM Committee being established to set targets and measures to strengthen secondary school students’ interest and participation in the field.
Describing the establishment of a cross-ministerial STEM special committee as a positive step that has the potential to create a comprehensive, coordinated and targeted approach to address the gender gap in STEM education and careers, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) senior director and registrar Dr Teh Choon Jin said the initiative is essential not only for individual empowerment, but also for the overall progress of society and the Madani economy.
“Malaysia is facing a national crisis in its pursuit of nurturing STEM talents as the number of students choosing STEM fields continues to decline.
“This critical issue has caught the attention of policymakers, educators, and stakeholders, who recognise the importance of STEM education in propelling the nation forward,” he added.
In 2022, Teh said, only 15% of students were enrolled in pure science, falling short of the government’s target of achieving a 60:40 ratio, with 60% of students majoring in STEM.
“This worrying trend poses several challenges for the nation’s development, as STEM disciplines are pivotal to Malaysia’s future competitiveness in the global economy.
“The urgency to address this issue becomes even clearer when we consider the rapid advancements in technology, automation and artificial intelligence.
“The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2020 indicates that by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced due to technological shifts.
“It is imperative that Malaysia focuses on science, technology, and innovation (STI) to prepare its workforce for this evolving job landscape,” he added.
On the RM100mil allocation to maintain and upgrade school computer labs and acquire new equipment, Teh said students should be exposed to the use of infrastructure, equipment, machine and computer labs to ensure the effectiveness of STEM learning.
“At the moment, there is a lack of infrastructure accessibility, which limits advanced knowledge creation and talent development.
“Modernising classrooms through investments in technology and equipment not only enhances the quality of education, but also aligns it with the demands of learning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) era,” he said, adding that investing in STEM equipment allows students to engage in hands-on learning.
“Whether it’s through robotics, 3D printers, or scientific equipment, students can explore STEM concepts in a practical, interactive manner, which is essential for a better understanding of these subjects.
“These investments foster interactive, personalised and inclusive learning experiences, while also preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly digital world,” said Teh.
