Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government Teachers’ Union (KGKS) has voiced support for the government’s RM67 billion allocation to the education sector under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), calling it a necessary step to address long-standing gaps in the system.
Its President Murkam Hussien, said the funding is crucial, particularly for states like Sabah where education development continues to face significant challenges.
“We welcome the allocation, but we also urge the government to prioritise basic facilities in Sabah, especially school infrastructure and teachers’ quarters in rural areas,” he said in a statement Friday.
Murkam emphasised that in many interior schools, teachers still struggle with inadequate or non-existent housing, which directly affects their well-being and ability to stay long-term.
“This is not about comfort, it’s about necessity. Without proper living conditions, it becomes harder to retain committed educators in remote areas,” he said.
He also called for attention to digital infrastructure, noting that rural schools are still behind when it comes to internet access and digital learning tools.
Strengthening technical and vocational education (TVET) that fits local needs should also be part of the focus under RMK13.
Murkam also emphasised that the success of the plan should not be measured by the size of the allocation alone, but by how effectively it is implemented and monitored.
“We want to see meaningful changes on the ground, not just announcements. There has to be follow-through,” he said.
