Kuala Lumpur: A total of 17 new schools are poised to commence operations in seven states this year, as announced by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. This expansion includes eight primary and nine secondary schools spread across Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadhlina stated that the government has approved the construction of 44 new schools in Budget 2025, marking a significant increase compared to the 26 schools approved in 2024. This figure surpasses the nine schools built in both 2023 and 2022, and the 11 constructed in 2021. She emphasized that this development underscores the MADANI Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring sufficient educational facilities. Fadhlina's remarks were made during the conclusion of the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address on the Ministry of Education in the Dewan Rakyat.
Furthermore, Fadhlina shared that the Ministry of Education is in the process of drafting a new education plan to succeed the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2013-2025, which concludes this year. The forthcoming plan, covering 2026-2035, aims to enhance the relevance of the country's education system to meet current and future demands. The Education Blueprint 2026-2035 will be founded on the Education Act 1996, aligning with the aspirations of the National Education Philosophy.
In related developments, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong discussed initiatives within his ministry, KESUMA, highlighting the benefits of the Huawei Learning Centre. This collaborative effort between KESUMA and Huawei aims to benefit 2,000 individuals, including teachers, engineers, industry professionals, and trainees. A Huawei Learning Centre has already been established at the Kuala Lumpur Industrial Training Institute, offering skills training programs in 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and communications technology.
Sim also noted that KESUMA provides financial assistance through the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK). Over the past two decades, PTPK has approved loans totaling RM5.2 billion, supporting over 400,000 trainees with funding.