The government’s planned cost-saving measures under Budget 2027 will not affect critical education initiatives, including the recruitment of new teachers, the construction of additional classrooms, and student welfare programmes, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has assured.
She said the Ministry of Education (MOE) remains committed to its core priorities despite the government’s push for greater fiscal prudence amid challenging global economic conditions.
According to Fadhlina, beneficiaries of the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) will continue to receive assistance without interruption, stressing that the programme plays an important role in ensuring students receive adequate nutrition.
She also confirmed that efforts to repair dilapidated schools and carry out routine maintenance of educational facilities nationwide will proceed as scheduled.
“We do not want the public to be worried. While cost-saving measures are necessary and important at this time, they will not affect programmes and initiatives that are among the ministry’s top priorities,” she said.
Fadhlina was speaking to reporters after officiating the International Symposium on Literature, Translation and Artificial Intelligence at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) on Wednesday.
She added that preparations for the implementation of the new school curriculum next year will continue as planned, while the enrolment of six-year-old children into Year One will not be affected by any budget adjustments.
Her remarks follow Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on May 29 that Budget 2027 would place greater emphasis on cost-saving measures as the government responds to increasing global economic pressures and fiscal challenges.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and external economic risks have underscored the need for more prudent government spending across ministries and agencies.
Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the RM100 book voucher announced by the Prime Minister during the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2026 will be distributed to eligible secondary school students and students of public higher education institutions once the school term resumes.
