The government will make it mandatory to include schools in all new large-scale housing development projects, as part of a broader effort to enhance access to education under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the initiative while tabling the 13MP in the Dewan Rakyat, highlighting that education remains a core pillar of national development.
To support these efforts, the government will allocate RM67 billion for the education sector. This funding will be used to build new schools, upgrade existing facilities, and improve infrastructure across Community Development Department (Kemas) centres and public higher learning institutions.
Anwar added that as of 2025, the government has successfully upgraded 1,200 dilapidated schools across the country. Moving forward, the construction of schools will be a requirement for obtaining planning approvals in large housing developments. Additionally, the development of vertical schools will be expanded to tackle issues of overcrowding and limited land availability.
The government also aims to increase preschool and secondary school enrolment rates to 98%, well above the global averages of 61–70% for preschool and 76–80% for secondary education, according to Unicef data.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination will continue to serve as the national benchmark to assess the effectiveness of education policies, curriculum design, and teaching methods.
Spanning from 2026 to 2030, the 13th Malaysia Plan lays out a strategic framework to address the country’s economic, social, and environmental priorities. It also serves as a key policy platform for the unity government under the Madani Economy framework, as Malaysia navigates a challenging global landscape and pursues domestic reforms.
