Govt Allocates RM100 Mln For ‘Anak Kita’ Programme – Amir Hamzah

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The MADANI Government has allocated RM100 million for the ‘Anak Kita’ Programme (PAK), a key initiative aimed at addressing student dropouts and boosting academic performance, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Launched in September 2024, PAK has benefited over 83,000 students across 2,500 schools nationwide. The initiative involves collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs) and private sector partners.

“The RM100 million funding will support interventions to reduce dropout rates, including learning recovery programmes and academic acceleration for key exams like the SPM,” he added.

Amir Hamzah, speaking after attending a PAK session at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai Nibong, explained that the programme focuses on three areas, namely the 3M (reading, writing, arithmetic) programme for primary schools, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) programme, and dropout prevention for both primary and secondary schools.

He highlighted that PAK is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), led by the MADANI Monitoring Unit, in partnership with Yayasan Hasanah. It also emphasises students’ holistic development and well-being, beyond academic performance.

Amir Hamzah said the programme’s 2025 rollout involves three public universities, seven CSOs and the support of school administrators and education officers on the ground.

Early results have been encouraging, with 89 per cent of 10,119 students in the programme passing the 2024 SPM examination. In Penang, 93 per cent of the 460 candidates involved achieved passing grades.

The programme also targets students struggling in core subjects such as Bahasa Malaysia, History and Mathematics, to ensure they qualify for the SPM certificate.

For primary students facing difficulties with foundational 3M skills, remedial support has shown impact, with over 1,000 students in Penang improving their grades by mid-2025.

Amir Hamzah, who also serves as Acting Minister of Economy, said attendance in intervention sessions exceeded 90 per cent, reflecting high motivation among students.

He thanked all stakeholders for their contributions and expressed confidence that the initiative would continue under the MADANI Economy framework in support of building a better Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA