KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — School repair allocation is set to be doubled to RM2 billion next year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the Budget 2027 in Parliament, said the allocation increase would cover different types of schools, including national schools, Chinese and Tamil national-type schools, as well as registered religious schools, tahfiz institutions and pondok schools.

“The allocation for national schools will increase to RM900 million, while Chinese national-type schools will receive RM100 million and Tamil national-type schools, RM50 million.

“Registered religious schools, tahfiz institutions and pondok schools under the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) will receive RM200 million, with the scope of funding expanded to cover their operating costs. 

“The government recognises the urgent need to improve infrastructure at Tamil national-type schools despite their relatively smaller enrolment,” Anwar told Parliament today.

Separately, nearly RM1.3 billion will be allocated to upgrade 682 dilapidated schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

These allocations are part of the Education Ministry’s huge allocation of RM69 billion under the Budget 2027, up from RM66.2 billion this year.

“To accommodate an expected 500,000 pupils entering Year One next year, including more than 70,000 aged six, the government expects to complete 3,500 additional classrooms by the end of this year using the Industrialised Building System (IBS),” Anwar added. 

The Prime Minister also announced plans for new schools, preschool buildings and additional facilities at existing schools, including SK Seri Chemor in Ipoh, Perak; Kompleks Sekolah Bandar Serenia in Sepang, Selangor; and a replacement building for SJK (Tamil) Ladang Pamol in Kluang, Johor.

Other projects include SJK (C) Bandar Mahkota Cheras and a preschool building at SK Bulu Silou in Keningau, Sabah.

A new matriculation college is also being built in Marang, Terengganu.