IBS classrooms to ease overcrowding in Melaka schools, says deputy education minister

The construction of additional classrooms using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) is set to alleviate overcrowding in Melaka schools, according to Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh. By restoring special rooms, such as music rooms and laboratories, to their original functions, the initiative aims to make better use of existing facilities in schools.

At a visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Merdeka in Melaka, Wong highlighted that 53 schools in the state have benefited from the IBS construction, with 49 of these schools accommodating more than 35 students per class. In the Kesidang state constituency, SK Malim, SK Taman Merdeka, and SK Tengkera 1 have received a combined allocation of RM3.3 million for constructing 11 additional classrooms under the initiative.

As of now, these projects are around 40% complete and are expected to be finished before the 2027 school session begins. Wong addressed the double-cohort intake for Year One in the 2027 school session, noting that 416,632 pupils have registered in the seven-year-old cohort and 73,487 in the six-year-old cohort. Measures to ensure teacher readiness include placing Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) graduates, appointing reserve candidates for key roles, and recruiting teachers on a Contract of Service (COS) basis.

A total of 3,150 educators have already been appointed and are prepared for placement in schools based on future needs. Regarding the haze issue, Wong emphasized that the Ministry of Education (MOE) has clear guidelines on school activities based on the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading. Outdoor activities will be suspended if the API reading exceeds 100, and schools may close and implement online learning if it surpasses 200.

However, MOE also considers parents' concerns about their children's health, allowing them to choose whether or not to send their children to school.