Budget 2027 to Drive Improvements In Quality of Education - Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) will focus on rolling out the new curriculum and the Malaysia Education Plan 2026-2035 next year, using the 2027 Budget allocation to drive improvements in the quality of education.

Minister, Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, said the main challenge was ensuring the ministry could implement announced plans and initiatives effectively in the interests of students and educators.

"This allocation enables us to implement the Malaysia Education Plan 2026-2035, particularly next year's key focus, the new curriculum.

"Indeed, this budget clearly prioritises the quality of education," she said after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme "Belanjawan 2027: Memperkukuh Pendidikan, Melakar Masa Depan," at Wisma Bernama today.

Fadhlina said the 2027 Budget also prioritised easing schooling costs for families through various aid and allowances, including the Form Six allowance, Early Schooling Aid (BAP), the allowance for Students with Special Educational Needs and incentives for special education teachers.

She added that special attention will also be given to development aspects, such as building new schools, upgrading dilapidated schools and school sports facilities. 

Meanwhile, when asked about safety measures and improvements to standard operating procedures to address bullying in schools, Fadhlina stressed that the MOE takes a holistic and consistent approach, including empowering students.

"Among the measures we are consistently taking are conducting safety audits of dormitories, installing additional CCTV cameras, and providing warden assistants, which are crucial for student control and safety," she said.

She said guidance and counselling teachers are also being trained to identify early signs of bullying, and that avenues for students to voice their views directly are being expanded.

"Schools belong to the community. So the community also has a responsibility to work together with us," she said.

Earlier in the programme, Fadhlina said multi-storey construction methods and the modular Industrialised Building System would be a game changer in speeding up solutions for overcrowded and dilapidated schools.

Beyond physical aspects, she stressed that student welfare, particularly for those with special needs and children from low-income (B40) families, remained a key priority.

"The BAP must be understood in context: the allocation goes to all students regardless of background so that no child is left behind.

"The increase in the BAP rate from RM150 to RM200 per student is certainly a reason for gratitude, as it eases the financial burden on many families," she said.

Fadhlina said the ministry is strengthening schools to prepare for climate change, including heatwaves and floods, through infrastructure and facility improvements.

"Ahead of the El Niño phenomenon, expected to bring hot weather throughout next year, the ministry and the secretary-general have discussed measures to create a more conducive learning environment," she said.

Fadhlina said the ministry is also examining whether schools at risk of repeated flooding, particularly those near rivers and in valleys, need to be relocated or upgraded.

-- BERNAMA