Government Committed To Helping All Schools - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- The government is sincere in helping all types of school in the country and channels allocations fairly, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.

He said the allocation for the education sector provided by the government all these while showed its commitment to turn out an educated society.

He said this was because the education sector was among the most critical catalysts in transforming Malaysia towards a high income nation.

"We are proud that the government always places priority on education especially in the context of funding. And from the allocations the government can set aside every year, education receives the highest amount," he said.

He said this before handing over a replica cheque of RM38.3 million for 80 of 196 selected national-type and missionary schools nationwide, at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) On Pong, here.

The cheque was contributed by the Community Chest, an independent, apolitical and non-ideological charitable organisation.

Najib said since 2009, the government had allocated more than RM1.2 billion for the infrastructural development of Chinese, Tamil and Missionary government- aided schools.

He added that this included an allocation of RM100 million each to the government-aided schools in question, through Budget 2012 and 2013.

The Prime Minister said the government was aware more needed to be done to strengthen the education sector in terms of schools' physical and infrastructural development and boosting the quality of teaching and learning.

Najib said it was hoped that the cooperation between the government and non-governmental organisations in assisting school would be a continuous effort towards developing the education sector.

"I am proud of the dedication demonstrated by Community Chest in working with the government to channel funds to schools nationwide," said Najib.

The Prime Minister said cooperation between the Community Chest and the government clearly fulfilled promises through contributions of RM100.2 million since the welfare fund was launched in September last year.

"This is our principle, whereby promises are made to the people and fulfilled for the people," he said.

Also present were Community Chest Board of Trustees member Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Foreign Minister A.Kohillan Pillay, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and PPP president Datuk M.Kayveas.