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THE Ministry of Education (MOE) has completed its Guidelines for Vertical School Development Planning and will soon present them to the Cabinet, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh confirmed in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The guidelines incorporate key design principles aimed at ensuring student safety, effective supervision, and accessibility—particularly within densely populated urban environments such as Kuala Lumpur.
“The MOE has considered various factors in shaping the vertical school model, including the safety of vertical movement, accessibility for students with special needs, emotional and social well-being, and availability of recreational spaces,” said Wong.
He added that technical considerations such as acoustics, soundproofing, lighting, ventilation, emergency access, structural integrity, building maintenance and strata management were also central to the planning framework.
Responding to a question from Sungai Besar MP Datuk Muslimin Yahaya on Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) proposal for a vertical school comprising two blocks of up to 17 storeys, Wong said a multi-agency consultation had been held to refine the vertical school concept.
The session, led by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), involved PLANMalaysia, the Public Works Department, the Fire and Rescue Department, and stakeholders including parents and teachers.
According to Wong, KPKT proposed three development models: building schools on land already designated for educational use; incorporating additional community facilities such as clinics and libraries; and integrating school premises within larger residential or commercial developments.
“School designs must be curriculum-friendly, sustainable and flexible, while reflecting principles of belonging, attractiveness, safety and ease of maintenance,” he said.
He noted that the rollout of vertical schools would be assessed by MOE and technical agencies, prioritising areas with populations exceeding one million.
DBKL previously outlined plans to construct more high-rise schools to address land scarcity and population growth in the capital. - July 30, 2025
