Ten schools per district will get up to RM100,000 each for education reform, says minister.
PUTRAJAYA: Ten schools in every district will be selected under the Education Ministry’s school reform programme, with each receiving up to RM100,000 to implement transformation initiatives, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said.
She said the initiative, involving five primary schools and five secondary schools in each district, aims to improve student outcomes, strengthen teacher professionalism and enhance the overall learning environment.
Fadhlina said the selected schools would develop their own improvement plans based on their respective needs, challenges and aspirations, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
She stressed that school reform must go beyond introducing new technology or upgrading facilities, saying meaningful transformation requires changes in culture, mindset and the wider education ecosystem.
“Reform cannot take shortcuts. Installing equipment in every school or putting smart boards in every classroom is not reform.
“Reform means creating changes in culture, the ecosystem and the mindset of the entire school community to elevate schools into better institutions,” she said during the Education Ministry’s monthly assembly today.
Fadhlina said the funding provided under the initiative would allow schools to carry out meaningful improvements based on their specific priorities while strengthening their capabilities.
She said reform efforts must also address wider issues affecting schools, including student well-being, mental health and the creation of safer learning environments.
“The changes must involve not only the way we work, think and carry out responsibilities, but also how we address issues such as mental health and the well-being of the entire school community,” she said.
Fadhlina said school transformation required the commitment of all stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, students, parents and the wider community.
She added that the ministry would continue monitoring the programme’s implementation to ensure the reforms created lasting improvements rather than short-term changes.
Meanwhile, Fadhlina highlighted the importance of preparing students for a technology-driven future through stronger STEM education, artificial intelligence (AI) readiness and multilingual skills.
She praised the newly launched Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin in Penang, which introduced a Malaysian model school concept featuring AI-enabled classrooms and language learning initiatives.
She said students at the school demonstrated strong abilities in Mandarin, Tamil, English and Arabic, reflecting the importance of equipping young Malaysians with diverse skills in a multicultural society.
Fadhlina also encouraged parents to utilise the RM100 Book Voucher Madani initiative to encourage children to read more, particularly books related to STEM and works by national literary figures.
She said early exposure to literature and knowledge would help students appreciate the country’s intellectual heritage while developing stronger reading habits.
Fadhlina added that the ministry would continue strengthening education policies to ensure schools remain safe, inclusive and trusted institutions for students, teachers and communities.
