Teachers union: RM69b education allocation must bring real improvements to Malaysian schools

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Better school facilities, improved safety and a more conducive learning environment are among the key improvements the school community hopes to see from the increased allocation for education in Budget 2027.

West Malaysia Malay Teachers Union (KGMMB) president Dr Mohd Sobri Yusuf said the RM69 billion allocation, up from RM66.2 billion this year, should translate into meaningful improvements in schools, with its success measured by the actual benefits delivered to teachers and students.

“Regardless of how much is allocated, the desired outcomes will not be achieved unless the funding brings about positive and tangible changes,” he said on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia talk show today.

Mohd Sobri said the higher school maintenance allocation, which has doubled to RM2 billion, could deliver direct benefits to school communities, particularly in ensuring that learning facilities were safe and comfortable.

“Safety must come first, and maintenance funds should go to schools that need them most, especially for repairs such as leaking roofs and faulty wiring, so that students and teachers can learn and work in a safe and comfortable environment,” he said.

Mohd Sobri said the recruitment of 200 teaching assistants for primary schools with large numbers of pupils could help reduce teachers’ workload, allowing them to focus more on teaching and students’ learning needs.

On the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT), he said its implementation must be closely monitored to ensure students received meals that met the required quality standards and complied with the prescribed menu and portion sizes.

Meanwhile, Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) president Muhd Fazreen Ismadi Fauzi said increasing the Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) to RM200 would help parents, particularly those from the B40 group, meet the cost of preparing their children for school.

However, he stressed that the increase in aid should be accompanied by measures to keep school supplies affordable and provide lasting relief to families.

On the RM2,500 allowance for Form Six students, Muhd Fazreen suggested that the aid be disbursed monthly rather than in a lump sum, allowing students to manage their educational expenses more effectively throughout the year.

“For GPMS, it would be better to pay the allowance monthly rather than in one lump sum. If students receive the full amount at once, they might spend it in a day on things like mobile phones, and the money may not last them through the year,” he said.

He added that aid distribution must be closely monitored to ensure the funds reach the intended recipients without any leakage.

Muhd Fazreen also stressed the need to ensure school facilities cater to students with disabilities, particularly with the planned enrolment of six-year-olds in Year One from 2027.

He said schools must be equipped with suitable facilities and support services to meet the needs of all students. — Bernama