Selangor to Prioritize Education and STEM in 2027 State Budget

Gombak: The Selangor government is set to prioritize the enhancement of the education support system and boost student engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as part of its 2027 State Budget initiatives. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari emphasized the significance of maintaining academic excellence and increasing opportunities in STEM fields for the approximately one million students within the state, highlighting the broader societal and national benefits of such advancements.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amirudin underscored the potential positive impact of these educational improvements during an address at the opening ceremony of the Gombak Form Six College and the 2026 Academic Excellence Awards. He stated, "In our budget, we will strengthen excellent examination results, STEM participation, and there are several pushes that we will try to put in place so that they can serve or contribute to the community." He emphasized that the achievement of excellent results by these students could significantly influence societal progress and provide a substantial boost to the nation.

In terms of infrastructure development, Amirudin revealed that the state government is actively collecting detailed information on school requirements, with plans to finalize allocation decisions by September or October. This effort is a part of a broader strategy to ensure that educational facilities can adequately support the envisioned advancements.

Additionally, Amirudin announced the introduction of the Himpunan Pelajar Tingkatan Enam Selangor (HIPSTERS) initiative, aimed at supporting Form Six students in their pursuit of higher education. This program offers resources such as book vouchers and free internet data, benefiting 10,000 students in 2026. The initiative marks a shift from its previous focus on university students to include Form Six students, with potential expansion plans to accommodate more schools in response to evolving needs and demands.