Funds for religious, vernacular schools should be based on need, says Maszlee

Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Maszlee Malik today locked horns with an MP from PAS over the distribution of funds for religious and vernacular schools, saying such allocations should be given based on need.

“Some schools will get more,” he said to Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Sik-PAS), who suggested that schools receive funds according to the number of students.

“If we give more money to bigger schools, they may not need it as much as smaller schools.

“This is to make sure the schools’ development is in line with what they need.”

Tarmizi had called for the distribution of funds based on number of students to ensure that allocations are fair for all religious and vernacular schools.

“The majority of religious schools in rural areas are in poor condition,” he said.

But Maszlee said tahfiz and pondok schools come under the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia or Jakim.

“As for religious schools, the ministry is still waiting for them to follow conditions,” he said. - FMT