KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry may have received the biggest allocation of RM64.1 billion for next year, but it comes with greater responsibility and accountability.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the ministry would make sure every single sen spent, planned and budgeted would reach the targeted people.
He said this in response to the tabling of the 2020 Budget by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in the Dewan Rakyat, here, today.
"We have to monitor closely the governance, integrity and disbursement processes as we don't want any more leakages or negligence as what happened during the previous administration," he said.
Asked if the allocation was what he had expected, Maszlee replied, "For education of course we want more so that we can give the best of services, which will need bigger funds."
The minister also pointed out some of the policies which could work in favour of the education sector including tax relief for those who contributed to schools.
"We hope to see more public involvement in the development of the education sector."
Maszlee was also upbeat by the higher allocation for the maintenance and repair works of national schools.
On the allocation for TVET, Maszlee said the Cabinet Committee on TVET headed by the ministry would streamline plans with the industry to ensure relevant institutions would churn out more skilled workers in accordance with the needs of the industry.
"We hope TVET will one day become the first option for the people like in Germany which sees 60 per cent of its people opt for TVET."