Experts urge focus on teaching, learning in RM69bil education budget

The 2027 Malaysian education budget, totaling RM69 billion, has received mixed reactions from experts. While some welcome the doubled school maintenance funding to RM2 billion and nearly RM1.3 billion allocated for upgrading 682 dilapidated schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, others urge the government to prioritize strengthening teaching and learning.

PAGE chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim emphasized the importance of focusing on better teaching, early intervention, and helping struggling students achieve academic success. She believes that improving infrastructure alone is not enough to address deeper issues affecting Malaysian schools. Academic disengagement and student frustration are major contributing factors to school violence, homicide, and suicide, according to Noor Azimah.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic Anuar Ahmad also stressed the need for greater attention to teaching quality, particularly for teachers aged 20 to 30 who require opportunities to update their methods in the age of information technology and artificial intelligence. The budget also includes provisions for a new matriculation college in Marang, Terengganu, higher early schooling assistance of RM150 to RM200 per pupil, and RM870 million for the Supplementary Food Programme benefiting 800 students.

However, both Noor Azimah and Mak Chee Kin, chairman of the Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education, stressed that increased funding must translate into tangible improvements on the ground. They called for clearer spending targets, transparent reporting, and measurable outcomes to ensure parents can see the direct benefits of the budget.