Kuala lumpur: The Education Ministry (MOE) has approved RM4.6 billion for the redevelopment of dilapidated schools in Sabah over the four years from 2023 to 2026 under the MADANI Government.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh stated that this allocation represents a substantial portion of the RM6.6 billion approved for such projects over a 10-year span since 2016. Wong highlighted the dynamic nature of the situation, noting that the number of dilapidated schools varies over time based on repair work and the condition of each school. He further explained that the approved projects are at various stages of development, including pre-construction, under construction, and completed phases, as discussed in the Dewan Negara.
Responding to Senator Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe's inquiry about the government's initiatives to tackle the issue of dilapidated schools in Sabah, Wong emphasized that the state has received the largest allocation for school maintenance compared to any other region. In 2024, Sabah was allocated RM135.24 million for maintaining educational institutions, which increased to RM196.14 million in 2025. This amount included RM174.19 million for schools and RM21.95 million for non-school institutions. As of July 2026, Sabah's maintenance allocation reached RM175.18 million, the highest of any state.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) Rolling Plan 1 for 2026, the ministry secured approval for 437 development projects in Sabah, which consist of 31 new projects and 406 ongoing ones. Regarding teacher placement, Wong affirmed the ministry's commitment to the 90:10 Policy, ensuring that 90 percent of teachers in Sabah are locals. By June 2026, this policy's implementation in Sabah had reached 89.72 percent, with an overall teacher placement rate of 97.45 percent across all schools in the state.
Wong also mentioned the establishment of a joint MOE-Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Secretariat in March 2025 to expedite the filling of teacher vacancies. Furthermore, a circular issued on May 21, 2026, instructed State Education Departments (JPNs) to prioritize the deployment of newly appointed teachers to rural and remote schools.