Sabah’s RM1billion Expenditure on Education

The State Government has spent RM848.26 million on education assistance from 2021 until 2024. For the past five years, the state government created 14 new initiatives involving an allocation of RM164.14 million, benefiting 210,918 students in Sabah including cash assistance for students’ enrolment fee or BUDI at institutes of higher learning; the Graduan Rindu Sabah programme (GRS - SUBFLY); and contribution for domestic higher learning students (SENTOSA).

The state government will remain committed to build an inclusive, progressive and sustainable education system, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor assured. "The State Government's aspiration to human capital development include the commitment that every Sabah student deserves the right to quality and equal education,” Hajiji said on 16 July 2025 at the 29th Education Convention and Malaysia Headmasters Association 3rd Delegates General Assembly dinner at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu.

"We give serious attention to human capital development under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan. Headmasters are the pillars in the education system and school leadership. The quality of a school greatly depends on the effectiveness of the headmaster's leadership in administration, guiding educators and driving educational reforms that align with the nation's.

Hajiji said the convention is an important platform to share experiences, ideas, and strategies to drive educational excellence at the school level. "Let us work together to nurture individuals who are excellent, distinguished and outstanding, and let us work together to uphold the teaching profession, strengthen the role of headmasters, and continue our efforts to empower our nation's youth," Hajiji added.

Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister I/Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, read the Chief Minister's speech.