PETALING JAYA: The education sector has been allocated the biggest fund under Budget 2022 at RM67.1bil in total with the Education Ministry receiving RM52.6bil and the Higher Education Ministry acquiring RM14.5bil.

       An additional RM6.6bil has been allocated to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under the various ministries overlooking it – an increase from RM6bil under Budget 2021.

       This ties in with the government’s focus under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to enhance the TVET sector.

       While Bumiputra Private Skills Training Institution action committee chairman Nordin Abdul Malek acknowledged the increase in allocation for TVET, he felt that more should have been done.

       “TVET is supposed to be the country’s engine of growth.

       “Because of the huge operational costs that the TVET sector incurs yearly, we are concerned whether this allocation will be used to pay for these administration and management costs instead of using it to develop TVET.

       “Therefore, it may not be sufficient to solve issues the sector is facing, which are plenty,” he said.

       Nordin also said the committee hoped the RM6.6bil allocation would be utilised to increase TVET student enrolment.

       National TVET Movement vice-chairman Datuk Ahmad Tajudin Jab said due to the rising operational cost, each ministry should be prudent in its spending as it had to cater to the strategies listed in 12MP.

       Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said the various “goodies” announced were a good initiative.

       He, however, cautioned that despite such positive announcements, schools continued to request for funding to repair, maintain and upgrade their buildings.

       “This includes Form Six colleges, some of which are in dire need of an upgrade. As such, we hope that the funding will reach schools that are truly in need.

       “There should be less bureaucracy in the application process as well,” he said, adding that it was a relief that RM100 was given to teachers for their contribution.

       Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the Budget should have capitalised on 21st century learning, stating that “it is here to stay”.

       “It is this that will bridge the learning loss as well as remove the excessive burden on teachers by turning students into self-learners.

       “We also hope that the allocation will be effectively utilised for special needs education,” she added.

       National Union of Teaching Profession secretary-general Wang Heng Suan thanked the government for the one-off payment under the Special Incentives for Teaching Aids.

       Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, meanwhile, said the allocation would go a long way in helping students return to school.

       “The ministry is committed to ensuring that every sen is spent to provide the best education for the next generation,” he said.

       Radzi also thanked the government for allocating the largest chunk – 16% – of the Budget to the Education Ministry and said the RM50mil allocated for special needs schools to purchase teaching equipment, and to improve facilities would help their efforts to ensure special needs students could continue learning in a safe and conducive environment.