KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry is in discussion with the Finance Ministry to consider presenting the proposal to increase the Supplementary Food Programme’s rate in Budget 2023.
Senior Education Minister Datuk Radzi Jidin said the matter required detailed study as it has huge financial implications, and his ministry is in the process of preparing the papers to be taken to the final stage.
“We are discussing the rate, which is said to be too low, and will continue to discuss with MoF to ensure we take all aspects into account.
“This matter will be discussed to prepare the papers to be taken to the cabinet. We must remember that each of these matters requires a bit of time because it involves huge implications,” he told a media conference at Zoo Negara today.
He said the study would also take the challenges of rising costs into account.
Earlier, the Health Ministry proposed that the programme rate for primary school pupils be raised to RM4 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM5 in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
On the issue of abandoned teachers’ quarters, Radzi said this was due to the non-strategic location of the quarters and lack of demand from teachers.
“This issue must be seen in the context, firstly, of the high demand for strategically located quarters, and secondly, quarters built in areas with no demand, especially when it costs less to live outside. There are also quarters built in unsuitable locations.
“This is a legacy issue that has long existed and we at the ministry are looking for ways to resolve it,” he said. – Bernama, July 25, 2022
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