KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 — The Higher Education Ministry (KPT) has allocated RM436 million for repairing infrastructure and replacing dilapidated equipment at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), including providing facilities for better access by persons with disabilities (PwD), the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said all infrastructure building and renovation projects at IPTA were implemented in accordance with guidelines set by the Economy Ministry’s Standards and Cost Committee to give access to PwD students.
He said this RM436 million included implementation of new projects, taking into consideration all 12th Malaysia Plan projects which were begun in 2021.
He said this when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 (Budget 2023) on behalf of the ministry.
He said for old buildings not yet fully equipped with PwD facilities, the ministry had received a RM15 million allocation in 2022 through the Finance Ministry’s budget initiative to upgrade these facilities, with RM11 million for public universities (UA) and RM4 million for polytechnics and community colleges.
“The government also gives special priority to applications for PwD facilities in every rolling plan and there is absolutely no discrimination against the PwD community,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said 14,482 PwD students enrolled for courses at UA, polytechnics and community colleges for the 2022-2023 academic session.
“Various initiatives and consistent efforts have been implemented to empower the PwD, including granting them scholarships and creating a special route for their entry into IPTA and Public Skills Training Institute (ILKA).
“Through this special route, for the 2022-2023 session, 51.64 per cent of PwD applicants with SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) and equivalent qualifications have been offered places in UA, polytechnics, community colleges and ILKA,” he said.
He said all the 20 UA under the ministry as well as polytechnics and community colleges were equipped with at least one PwD-friendly facility. — Bernama
