The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) hopes that the Education Ministry will distribute the RM60.2 billion allocation under Budget 2019 accordingly.

Its chairman Kamarozaman Abd Razak said it was important for the allocation to be distributed correctly among the schools and higher education institutions, to avoid unbalanced distribution which would result in wastage as the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry are now combined under one ministry.

"Although the amount has been reduced by RM1.4 billion from last year, the allocation is quite a sum of the overall 2019 Budget," he said.

The NUTP also recommended that schools be given the authority to decide on minor school repairs through the RM652 million allocation in efforts to upgrade and maintain the schools.

Commenting on the tax deduction incentives on individuals or companies contributing to the maintenance fund of government schools and tertiary institutions, Kamarozaman described the move as a very good idea and recommended that the incentive be extended to those who contribute to the Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG) Fund.

Meanwhile, National Parent-Teacher Associations Consultative Council president Mohamad Ali Hassan noted that the education budget still gave priority to those in need especially the poor.

"Although the allocation had not been given in detail, textbook, food and cash aids are still ongoing. Our hope is that these are only channelled to the needy."

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Ahmad Fauzi Ismail said the recognition given to research conducted by public universities as tabled in the 2019 Budget, was timely in steering the universities to compete with world-renowned universities.

He said the recognition was appropriate in facing Industry 4.0.

"In addition, this will act as a guide for Malaysia to be in the World University Ranking and at the same time attract more institutions and industries to collaborate with universities in Malaysia," he said in a statement today.

– Bernama