NIBONG TEBAL, March 31 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has drawn up several long-term and short-term interventions to resolve the issue of overcrowding in schools nationwide.
Its minister Fadhlina Sidek said the short-term intervention is to construct and use cabins in schools with high student density, as well as dispersing students to nearby schools so the number of students can be controlled in an atmosphere conducive to learning.
Meanwhile, the long-term intervention is to construct new schools, which will take time, but the MOE will try its best to ensure the students’ comfort.
“In the last Budget, 26 new schools have been approved for construction, and we hope that with the new schools, we will be able to reduce the student density, and simultaneously, our children will be able to learn in a comfortable environment.
“As for using cabins, there are some schools we have identified in terms of capacity, but it is only a short-term approach; for the long-term, they should attend lessons in school buildings which are conducive to learning,” she said.
Fadhlina was speaking to the press after attending the state-level MOE Jaulah Ramadan 2024 programme, at SMK Sungai Acheh, which deputy minister Wong Kah Wong also attended.
She added that MOE will continue to focus on addressing the issue to provide comfort and a conducive learning environment for students.
Currently, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are among the states with a high student density in schools.
Separately, on a viral social media video related to the issue of ‘kafir’ (infidels), Fadhlina described the issue, which had been taken out of context, as being over.
“I mentioned that some things were quoted out of context, and my statement should be read and accepted in full, and in my view, this issue has been resolved.
“We should move on to make sure that the issues and reforms of education, which are being implemented, can be given focus; ignore the issues which will interfere with our work, not to mention now that we are at the end of the Ramadan month.
“Do not slander; instead, we should focus on religious worship and pursue Lailatul Qadr. May our worship be accepted,” she said.
On Jaulah Ramadan, Fadhlina, who is also the Nibong Tebal MP, said it was part of efforts to enliven the month of Ramadan and increase piety and compassion among MOE staff through various activities, including tadabbur Al-Quran, iftars, and Tarawih prayers.
— Bernama
