Answer for Oral Question PL227

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 3 minutes
📊 Word count: 390 words

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG LAWI BIN HAJI LAMAT

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG LAWI BIN HAJI LAMAT asked the MINISTER OF EDUCATION to state what are the short and long-term plans of the Ministry of Education to address schools experiencing a decline in student numbers? Does the Ministry consider school consolidation, resource optimization, or strategic student relocation to ensure the quality of education is preserved and no one is left behind?

MINISTER OF EDUCATION

ANSWER:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, good morning and greetings.

First and foremost, koala would like to express the highest appreciation and thanks to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity given to koala to answer oral question PL227 posed by Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat regarding the Ministry of Education's plans to address schools experiencing a decline in student numbers.

For schools with a trend of declining students, the Ministry of Education will first conduct an assessment in terms of the impact on student learning and cost-effectiveness. A large number of students can stimulate cognitive development and student skills. Therefore, the Ministry of Education will constantly monitor student populations in schools, especially in classrooms.

Since 2007, several small-sized primary schools have been consolidated/united. Among them:

• The consolidation of SR Rampayoh and SR Labi in 2007;
• The consolidation of SR Kenua and SR Rataie in 2014;
• The consolidation of SR Piasau-Piasau and SR Labu Estet Temburong in 2015;
• The consolidation of SR Sungai Kebun, SR Datu Ahmad, and SR PAP Besar Sg Kebun in 2017;
• The consolidation of SR OKPB Bukit Sawat and SR Merangking in 2021;
• SR Pehin Dato Jamil has also moved to SR PAP Besar Sg Kebun due to infrastructure issues; and
• This year, the temporary closure of SR Melilas and SR Dato Maharaja Setia Dian Sukang.

The implementation of this initiative will enhance the quality of teaching and learning and improve social skills and the holistic development of students through a more conducive school environment with a larger number of students. In addition, this initiative can also optimize resource utilization, including human resources (teachers and staff), and support the country's fiscal strengthening programs.

Insha Allah, the Ministry of Education will conduct continuous studies to ensure the continuation of the Small-Sized Primary School Restructuring involving relevant stakeholders.