Education experts push for academic focus in RM69 billion budget allocation

With Malaysia's substantial education budget allocation under review, stakeholders are emphasizing the critical need to redirect resources toward addressing fundamental learning deficiencies rather than focusing primarily on physical infrastructure development.

The Parent Action Group for Education has raised concerns that many students across the nation continue to struggle with basic literacy and numeracy competencies. The group argues that while improved school facilities and infrastructure are beneficial, they must not overshadow the more pressing requirement for robust academic intervention programmes.

Education experts have urged policymakers to ensure that a meaningful portion of the RM69 billion budget be allocated specifically to remedial teaching, qualified educator recruitment and retention, and evidence-based learning support systems. The emphasis is on identifying students at risk of falling behind and providing targeted assistance to strengthen their foundational skills.

The advocacy underscores a broader concern that infrastructure investments, while visible and easily measured, may not directly translate into improved student outcomes if accompanied by insufficient support for core teaching and learning activities. Stakeholders maintain that sustainable educational progress depends on prioritizing academic quality and student achievement metrics alongside facility enhancements.