KUALA LUMPUR – Education once again takes the largest share of Malaysia’s federal spending, with RM66.2 billion allocated to the Education Ministry under Budget 2026, up from RM64.2 billion this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the increased allocation underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Malaysian child has access to quality education, in line with the goals of the 13th Malaysia Plan to reform and modernise the national education system.
The budget will focus on improving school infrastructure, building new schools, strengthening early childhood education, and expanding aid for underprivileged students to ensure no child is left behind.
Nearly RM2 billion has been set aside to upgrade more than 520 dilapidated schools, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, while 38 new schools will be built nationwide.
To ease congestion in high-density areas, the government will also construct additional classrooms using the Industrialised Building System (IBS), with RM100 million allocated for over 100 schools.
Another RM100 million will fund the construction of 350 new preschool classes in existing buildings.
Support for students from low-income families continues, with RM150 million channelled to the Federal Small Scholarship programme and RM870 million for the Supplementary Food Programme benefiting 870,000 pupils.
The School Assistance Aid (BAP) of RM150 per student will again be distributed to 5.2 million pupils, totalling RM800 million.
The government will also expand Bantuan Am Persekolahan to include poor students up to Form 5, with an allocation of RM180 million. Meanwhile, six new kindergartens and nurseries under KEMAS will be built, and RM70 million will be used to equip 10,800 preschools with smart TVs to enhance digital literacy.
Special education remains a priority, with two new special education secondary schools to be built in Kota Damansara and Pasir Mas, and RM700 million allocated for 35 additional special education blocks nationwide.
All 150,000 students with disabilities will continue receiving monthly allowances of RM150 each.
For higher education, RM18.6 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Higher Education, with RM400 million for maintenance and replacement of equipment in public universities, polytechnics, and community colleges — reaffirming the government’s pledge that no young Malaysian should be denied education due to financial hardship. — October 10, 2025