The highest allocation goes to education: 2025 National Budget

18 October 2024

KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM82.1 billion has been allocated to the Ministries of Education and Higher Education under the 2025 National Budget, aimed at enhancing school facilities, improving student support, and advancing research and development in universities.

Of this amount, RM64.1 billion is designated for the Ministry of Education, while RM18 billion is allocated to the Ministry of Higher Education.

For the Ministry of Education, RM2 billion is earmarked for upgrading and maintaining schools nationwide, with an additional RM1 billion specifically targeted at addressing the needs of dilapidated school buildings. This initiative will focus on national, Chinese, Tamil, religious, and military camp schools and institutions for children with special needs.

The government plans to construct 44 new schools next year and allocate RM870 million for the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT), benefiting over 860,000 students.

Furthermore, nearly RM800 million will be directed towards early schooling aid to ensure that children receive adequate support from the outset of their education. An additional RM1 billion is allocated to upgrade 543 dilapidated schools across the country, with particular attention to infrastructure improvements in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.

In terms of higher education, the RM18 billion allocation will support scholarships, loans, and research development initiatives. Specifically, RM4 billion is set aside for scholarships, loans, and education allowances, while the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) will provide RM500 million in educational loans, prioritising students pursuing STEM-related fields. Additionally, RM600 million is allocated for research and development under the purview of the higher education and science, technology, and innovation ministries.

As part of the government's commitment to advancing technological capabilities, RM50 million will be directed towards teaching AI-related subjects at research universities, and RM20 million will be allocated to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) to enhance the production of engineers in the semiconductor sector.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this when tabling the Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today.