KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government Teachers’ Union (KGKS) has shown its support for the government’s decision to allocate RM67 billion to the education sector under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
KGKS President Murkam Hj Hussien described this as a crucial move that deserves backing from all stakeholders, expressing confidence that this significant investment will improve the quality of education nationwide, especially in Sabah.
He stated that focusing on the education sector is timely, especially in efforts to bridge the development gap between regions and ensure more equitable access to education in rural and remote areas.
“We warmly welcome this allocation. However, we hope that special attention will be given to improving basic educational facilities in Sabah, particularly regarding school infrastructure and housing for teachers in rural areas,” he said in a statement today.
Murkam emphasised that the issue of inadequate, poor-quality, or even non-existent housing for teachers remains a major challenge in several rural areas of Sabah.
“This affects the welfare of teachers and indirectly undermines the quality of teaching.
“If we want dedicated teachers to continue teaching in remote areas, we need to provide a comfortable and safe environment for them to live in. Teacher housing is not a luxury, but a necessity,” added Murkam.
Additionally, he suggested that RMK13 should also address several issues to strengthen educational development in the state.
These include enhancing digital facilities and internet access in rural schools, promoting continuous training for teachers, and driving the development of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) that aligns with local potential.
Murkam hopes that the implementation of RMK13 will be followed by careful monitoring and active participation from stakeholders to ensure that every allocation has a positive impact.
