Johor bahru: The Federal Government has approved the construction of 27 new schools across Johor with a total allocation exceeding RM2.3 billion under the 2023 to 2025 budgets.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Education (MOE) stated that these projects would provide 830 classrooms, benefiting over 29,000 students. This initiative aims to expand access to quality education for children in Johor and address overcrowding in major urban centers.

The MOE highlighted the expansion of preschool education, which started in 2023, with the establishment of 84 new preschool classes under both mainstream and integrated streams. Additionally, since 2023, the government has allocated RM444.8 million for 5,728 upgrading and maintenance projects at educational institutions in Johor, covering facilities like toilets, canteens, surau, science laboratories, and science rooms.

Government-Aided Schools (SBK) and Government-Aided Religious Schools (SABK) in Johor have also benefited from upgrading and maintenance efforts with an allocation exceeding RM60.6 million, enhancing comfort for students and the school community. The MOE noted that these efforts have led to positive outcomes, with Johor's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination average grade surpassing the national average, alongside excellent performances in the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examinations.

The government has also allocated over RM88.7 million for a one-off RM150 Early Schooling Aid, benefiting 591,722 Year One to Form Six students in Johor. Additionally, the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) assists 48,015 students with an allocation of RM35.1 million. Overall, MOE provides 18 types of assistance for children in Johor, particularly those from underprivileged families.

Furthermore, 369 educational institutions in Johor have benefited from teachers' room upgrading projects with an allocation exceeding RM11.7 million. The recent MADANI Book Voucher initiative has supported 241,671 students in Johor with a total allocation of RM24.1 million. The ministry also mentioned that 40 boarding schools in Johor are now equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to enhance security monitoring on school premises.