SHAH ALAM, Jan 5 — The government has channelled a RM200 million immediate allocation to upgrade facilities at dilapidated Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR) and Maahad Tahfiz across Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the allocation aims to ensure that SAR pupils, who are not part of the national education system, can enjoy facilities comparable to those at government schools.
“Although they are not included in the national school scheme, there are approximately 300,000 students in community religious schools.
“Previously, assistance to them was discontinued, so we have asked the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to engage with these schools to improve the curriculum, enhance the quality of teachers and provide adequate facilities,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Department Monthly Assembly and 2026 New Year Address today.
Anwar also announced a RM80 million allocation for Chinese vernacular schools, or SJK(C), and a RM50 million allocation for Tamil vernacular schools, or SJK(T), which continue to face issues with poor facilities.
“Several SJK(C)s are also attended by Bumiputera and Indian children. Previously, the allocation was only RM50 million, but it has now been increased to RM80 million.
“As for SJK(T)s, although the number of schools is small, some remain in a dilapidated condition, so the government has provided RM50 million,” he said.
This move forms part of the government’s efforts to improve the quality of education and school infrastructure outside the national education system, ensuring that all students receive equal learning opportunities.
