THE Education Ministry is committed to ensuring that the Budget 2025 allocation has a positive impact on the country’s ongoing reform agenda, assures its minister Fadhlina Sidek.
The ministry, she said, carries a big responsibility to make sure that every sen of the budget allocation achieves its objective through the implementation of a meticulously planned reform agenda that focuses on “cases for change”.
“With about a year to go, this reform agenda, targeted at curriculum intervention, mastery of Bahasa Malaysia and English language, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), digital education and preschool education alignment, will enhance efforts to achieve the global education standards outlined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025,” she said in a statement.
The third Madani Budget, she said, is an important effort to make sure that the objectives of the blueprint are met within the stipulated time frame and to safeguard the well-being of the people and the nation.
Education continues to be prioritised to ensure the aspiration of building a sustainable and competitive Madani Malaysia is achieved, said Fadhlina, whose ministry received a total of RM64.1bil, making it the largest recipient of the Budget 2025 allocation (see infographic).
Efforts to improve school infrastructure and provide a comfortable learning environment for every student, she said, continue to be a priority.
“The government is also committed to education for students with special educational needs (MBPK) and to assisting private autistic schools registered with the ministry,” she said, adding that the ministry encourages the involvement of private entities and government companies in funding programmes to provide other facilities in schools, such as open halls.
Fadhlina Sidek
National Union of the Teaching Profession of Malaysia (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said Budget 2025 reflects transparency and considers the views of the people.
The increase in the allocation by RM5.4bil compared to 2024 is evidence of the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s education sector and its deep concern for the country’s educators, said Fouzi.
“We commend the Prime Minister’s efforts to ensure a comfortable, safe and meaningful learning environment for children to acquire knowledge,” he said, adding that the NUTP greatly appreciates the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of students and teachers in schools.
Praising the RM2bil allocation for school maintenance, with RM1bil specifically for the repair of dilapidated classrooms and RM1bil for upgrading 543 underdeveloped schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, he said the allocation marks a crucial step in ensuring that schools continue to function safely and efficiently.
The government, he said, has also approved the construction of 44 new schools in states such as Johor, Selangor, Sabah, Kedah and Sarawak, which is an increase of 18 new schools compared to 2024.
This initiative, he said, is highly welcomed as it will help address the issue of overcrowded schools.
“The NUTP also thanks the government for its efforts in maintaining 8,300 school toilets in 2024 within a short period.
“For 2025, the government has allocated an additional RM100mil to refurbish canteens and prayer rooms, which will further enhance the quality of school facilities.
“And with RM5.3bil allocated for 17 types of educational assistance, the government continues to show concern for students from low-income families,” he said.
Fouzi
He said the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT), worth RM870mil, will benefit more than 800,000 students. Describing it as a “commendable effort to ensure student well-being”, he said the NUTP hopes that this allocation will be managed transparently by schools to serve the students’ best interests.
Budget 2025, he said, also eases the burden on parents, with RM800mil allocated for the Early School Assistance (BAP) for students from Forms One to Five, regardless of parental income.
The Poor Student Trust Fund (KWAPM) has also been increased to RM180mil, representing a RM30mil increase from Budget 2024, he noted.
NUTP, said Fouzi, appreciates the 15% increase in per capita grant (PCG) for TVET education, as this is an important step in addressing rising costs due to increasing prices, which previously impacted the implementation of TVET in schools.
“We are also grateful for the increase in living allowances for teacher trainees under the Bachelor of Education Programme (PISMP), from RM430 to RM530 per month, demonstrating the government’s concern for the welfare of future educators,” he said, adding that the NUTP is confident that the allocated funds will bring significant benefits to the nation’s education sector, particularly in terms of improving school infrastructure and the welfare of students and teachers.
“Nevertheless, we hope that all planned initiatives will be implemented effectively and comprehensively to ensure that every student has access to quality education.
“The NUTP will continue to support any efforts aimed at enhancing the national education system and hopes that Budget 2025 marks the beginning of a more outstanding transformation in education,” he concluded.
The Education Ministry’s ‘historic allocation’ of RM64.1bil reflects the government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure and fostering a skilled workforce. This investment focuses on key areas like digital education, STEM programmes, and TVET, ensuring Malaysians are well- equipped for the future economy. – Taylor’s Business School senior lecturer Dr Paul Anthony Maria Das
The Budget 2025 education allocation was aimed at building the foundations of a knowledge-based economy, recognising that investment in human capital is essential for long-term economic growth. By extending income tax relief on nursery and kindergarten fees for an additional three years, the government is supporting working parents while promoting early childhood education, which has been shown to improve cognitive development and social outcomes. – Universiti Malaya economist Dr Goh Lim Thye
