by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Feb 24: The Federal government will allocate RM560 million to build seven new schools, which includes SMK Dudong in Sarawak.
The others schools include SK Paya Dusun in Terengganu, SMK Denai Alam in Selangor and SMK Nabalu in Sabah.
This allocation is part of the RM55.2 billion to be set aside for the Education Ministry under the revised National Budget 2023, which saw an increase compared to RM52.6 billion allocated in 2022.
Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim said the Education Ministry will continue to receive the biggest allocation with RM2.3 billion of the overall budget will be dedicated to ensuring best education infrastructure at all schools for children.
“This included RM920 million to upgrade buildings and infrastructure of 380 dilapidated schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, via a special funds for immediate implementation.
“Another RM900 million will be provided for the maintenance of national, religious and Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools such as repairs of toilets, wiring, drainage and replacement of furniture and damaged equipment in classrooms and hostels,” he said when announcing the revised Budget 2023 in Parliament today.
Anwar, who is also Minister of Finance, said that to provide nutritional food for students under ‘Rancangan Makanan Tambahan’ (RMT), the government will increase the budget allocation from RM625 million to RM777 million that will benefit some 700 students nationwide.
“In addition, allocation for Preschool Food Programme will be increased from RM89 million to RM108 million to benefit some 240,000 preschoolers under the Ministry of Education,” he added.
The Federal government will also supply 50,000 laptop computers to schools and educational institutions. — DayakDaily
