TAPAH, Aug 26 — The government has approved 367 projects to redevelop dilapidated school buildings worth RM9 billion nationwide from 2023 to 2026.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the allocation involved 86 projects worth RM1.711 billion in 2023, 78 projects totalling RM1.825 billion in 2024, 124 projects costing RM4.1 billion in 2025 and 79 projects worth RM1.384 billion in 2026.

“This is the largest amount by any government over a four-year period. The higher allocations and approvals for more projects are aimed at expediting the redevelopment of the affected school buildings for the safety of students.

“This also demonstrates the continued commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to ensure that dilapidated school premises are addressed in stages,” he said.

He said this when met after attending the handover ceremony for the Education Ministry’s Dilapidated School Replacement Building Project at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Coldstream here today.

On the completion period for the projects, Wong said it depended on the scope, specifications and location of each project, with implementation generally taking two years after approval and the appointment of a contractor.

Touching on the construction of the replacement building at SJKC Kampung Coldstream, he said the RM2.9 million project began on May 24, 2024 and was fully completed on Aug 6.

He said the building was equipped with various modern facilities, including four comfortable classrooms, two new toilet units and an open hall for the use of students and teachers at the school.

“The building is also equipped with other facilities, including 120 sets of new chairs and tables, as well as Smart TV units supplied by the state education department (JPN) and district education office (PPD),” he said.

He said with these facilities, students could enjoy a conducive learning environment, while the school’s special-purpose rooms, which had previously been used as temporary classrooms, could be restored to their original functions. — Bernama