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

MELAKA, Sept 8 — The Deputy Education Minister, Wong Kah Woh, announced plans to build additional classrooms using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to address overcrowding in special rooms. Wong stated that converting rooms like music and laboratories into classrooms has been necessary for many schools. With the new construction, special rooms will once again serve their intended purposes, he told reporters after visiting SK Taman Merdeka in Melaka.

As of now, 53 schools in the state have benefited from the initiative, with 49 having over 35 students per class. In the Kesidang constituency, comprising SK Malim, SK Taman Merdeka, and SK Tengkera 1, a total of RM3.3 million has been allocated for 11 additional classrooms. According to Wong, the construction is currently 40% complete and is expected to be finished before the 2027 school session.

The Ministry of Education has taken steps to prepare for the double-cohort intake in 2027, including appointing Institute of Teacher Education graduates, appointing reserve candidates for critical positions, and recruiting teachers on a Contract of Service basis. The MOE has guidelines in place for school activities based on the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading, and schools will be closed if the reading exceeds 200.

Wong emphasized that parents have the final say in their children's education if they are still concerned about the haze issue.