[UPDATED] Budget 2022: govt allocates RM450 mil for early schooling assistance

KUALA LUMPUR – A total of RM450 million has been allocated by the government for Early Schooling Assistance, said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

In tabling Budget 2022, Tengku Zafrul said RM150 will be given to each student, an increase of RM50 from the RM100 given before.

He added that the allocation is expected to benefit about three million students in the country.  

This is part of RM52.6 billion that has been allocated to the Education Ministry (MoE).

Tengku Zafrul said during the budget tabling that the allocation is equivalent to 16% of the total government expenditure.

MoE remains the largest recipient of the national budget.

The ministry’s 2022 allocation is higher than the RM50.4 billion it received last year.

Meanwhile, the government will be providing additional discounts on the repayment of National Higher Education Fund Corporation loans.

The amounts are:

a) 15% for those settling loans;
b) 12% for those settling at least 50% at once; and
c) 10% for those paying through a scheduled salary deduction scheme.

Other plans under MoE include a RM400 million allocation for the Supplementary Meal Plan to ensure students get their daily nutrition; RM6.6 billion for Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes; and RM200 million for public-private programmes, the National Dual Training Scheme and industry certification programmes.

The government also allocated RM1 billion for the renovation and repair of schools. This includes RM140 million to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department to maintain tahfiz and religious schools, as well as registered “pondok” institutions – an increase from RM100 million in 2021.

On another note, RM120 million has been allocated to Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools.

In addition, the government will continue to upgrade poor schools, with the allocation increased to RM746 million for next year.

Tengku Zafrul said a big chunk of the allocation is to upgrade poor schools, with 112 projects in Sabah and 165 in Sarawak.

RM100 one-off aid to teachers to buy teaching tools

In appreciation of teachers who provide additional materials to students during the pandemic, Budget 2022 has for the first time allocated a one-time payment of RM100 to more than 400,000 school teachers under the Education Ministry.

To empower the agenda for special education, RM50 million has been earmarked to fund the purchase of teaching equipment and improve school facilities for special needs.

In addition, eight new special education blocks will be built, among them in SMK Tuanku Lailatul Shahreem in Perlis and SMK Agama Alor Gajah in Melaka.

RM65 mil to build religious secondary school in Labuan

Under the umbrella of Islamic education, the government plans to build a religious secondary school in Labuan with the project costing RM65 million.

The government will be distributing a special one-time aid of RM500 to benefit 70,000 imam, bilal, siak, noja, marbut, guru takmir, and Kafa teachers.

Higher learning institution students from B40 families to get free tablets

As for the Higher Education Ministry, a total of RM14.5 billion has been allocated.

Higher learning institution students from B40 families will also be given free tablets to facilitate their studies.

Tengku Zafrul said some 600,000 students are expected to benefit from this scheme.

The government also allocated RM6.6 billion for education facilities for the Bumiputera community under Mara, UiTM, and the Peneraju Foundation.

“This allocation is provided for education loans, and upgrading certificate programmes to diplomas, in an effort to raise Bumiputera professionals in the engineering, finance and medical sector.”

RM4.8 billion is also provided for various programmes tasked with increasing capacity and commercial loans under Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad, Tekun Nasional, and the Bumiputera Wellness Fund. – The Vibes, October 29, 2021