RM75.5 Million for 13 Educational Assistance Initiatives in 2025

13 March 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The state government has allocated RM75.5 million for 2025 to implement 13 educational assistance initiatives for students, schools, parent-teacher associations, and Sabah student associations, both domestically and abroad.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor announced that among the initiatives being continued this year are the One-Off IPT Registration Cash Assistance (BUDI), Computer Assistance (BAIK), Special Examination Cash Assistance (BAKTI), and the State Educational Savings Assistance (BISTARI). Other initiatives include PIBG Activity Assistance (BAGUS), Sabah School Assistance (BISBAH), Small School Maintenance Assistance (BALKIS), Special Educational Programme Assistance (BANTU), Sabah Education Excellence Awards (AKSA), Malaysia Sabah Student Secretariat (SEMESTA), and Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRSSUBFLY).

The Chief Minister noted that for the BUDI initiative alone, the government has allocated RM20 million, targeting 10,000 students, while BAKTI has been allocated RM8 million, aiming to reach 40,000 students this year.

"All of this aligns with the state government's policy, as outlined in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Direction Policy. We remain committed to making education a core aspect of human capital development in the state," he stated during the launch of the Higher Education Student Contributions (SENTOSA) at the Gaya Campus Teacher Education Institute on Thursday.

Hajiji also introduced a new initiative called One-Off School Activity Contributions (SUKSES) for all schools across Sabah.

Each school will receive RM3,000 to carry out activities or purchase other necessities.

Additionally, he highlighted that the state government has increased the Sabah State Government Scholarship Fund (BKNS) from RM51 million to RM128 million for 2025.

"With this substantial increase, alongside several other educational incentives, we hope that more children from Sabah will have the opportunity to receive educational assistance, especially those pursuing higher education, whether domestically or abroad, including studies in religious or Islamic fields," he remarked.

Furthermore, he announced the GRS-SUBFLY subsidy for all students in public and private higher education institutions studying in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Labuan, with contributions of RM600 each, totalling over RM10 million.

He assured that the Sabah government, as a compassionate authority that listens to the people's concerns, will not overlook students studying in public and private institutions within Sabah.

They will receive assistance through the SENTOSA initiative, which provides a one-off aid of RM300 per student for those studying in Sabah, involving an allocation of RM6 million, benefiting approximately 20,000 students.

"I announced the SENTOSA assistance last November, and I hope it can alleviate the financial burdens of students returning home before the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri."

Various initiatives and assistance provided to the people, particularly students, aim to cultivate knowledgeable and educated human capital that will contribute to the state's development.

Hajiji emphasised that education is a vital foundation for the younger generation, serving as a primary means to prepare them as quality, knowledgeable, and morally upright heirs of the nation.

In line with this vision, he stated that the state government, through its departments and agencies, is committed to supporting Sabah children by providing various educational assistance and contributions to ease the burdens faced by parents, ensuring that children do not fall behind in mainstream education.

He noted that educational financing options such as scholarships, study grants, educational loans, zakat assistance, and other forms of educational support are initiatives implemented by the government.

Additionally, he mentioned that the state government is collaborating closely with the federal government to realise the agenda of empowering and enhancing excellence and quality in education in the state, including the improvement and further development of educational infrastructure.