Malaysia streamlines school construction approvals

SJKC Heng Ee relocation project details

Eight acres were used for the SMJKC Heng Ee Bayan Baru Branch that opened in 2017, while the remaining four acres were designated for the new SJKC Heng Ee building. Planning permission for the three-block primary school was approved on 24 May 2023, and its building plans were approved on 24 July 2025.

SJKC Heng Ee has provided education to generations of Penangites for 70 years.

Mr Sim has provided a total of RM3.91 million to over 30 schools in his constituency over the past four years.

Attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony included Lim Guan Eng, Lim Hui Ying, Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, Fahmi Zainol, Puan Sri Joanne Phor, Datuk A. Rajendran, Datuk Connie Ang Chuan Im, Fadzil Sadikin, Dr Mohd Siroj Abdul Lathiff, Baharuddin Hashim, Datuk Goh Boon Poh, and Lee Chian Jau.

Timeline for new SJKC Heng Ee campus

Pupil intake for the new campus is scheduled to commence in September 2028.

Tamil Nadu commits to keeping government schools open

Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan stated on 14 November 2026 that the state will not close any government schools due to low student enrolment.

Schools with only one teacher located in remote hamlets and hill areas will continue to function. Minister Rajmohan also honoured 341 headmasters from Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts for achieving 100% pass rates in public examinations during the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 academic years.

At the ceremony held in Vellore on 13 November 2026, welfare assistance totaling Rs 52 lakh was distributed to these headmasters.

Broader context of school closures in India

VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan stated on 13 November 2026 that nearly 94,000 schools have been closed across India in the last decade, including more than 200 in Tamil Nadu.

Chancellor Viswanathan noted that India ranked 72nd out of 73 countries in the 2009 PISA assessment. He urged the country to re-enter international assessments.

Azerbaijan infrastructure goals for 2030

Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Science and Education Kanan Karimzada stated that the government aims to resolve general education infrastructure issues by 2030.

The Ministry of Science and Education plans to commission 35 modular schools as part of its infrastructure efforts, with 11 of these already in operation.

Ghana's 2027 education budget allocations

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented the 2027 budget to Parliament on 12 November 2026. The budget includes a $10-billion 'New Economy' initiative led by the incumbent NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama.

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) received an allocation of GH¢11.2 billion for the development of educational infrastructure.

Specific secondary education reforms include an allocation of GH¢1.37 billion to eliminate the double-track system. The 'No Fees Stress' policy, which assists first-year students with entry costs, has been assigned GH¢537 million.

Teacher trainee allowances to support those preparing to teach the next generation received GH¢227 million.

Basic Education Certificate Examination fees are covered by a GH¢169 million allocation. The Capitation Grant received GH¢166 million.

Special schools for learners requiring specialised educational provision received GH¢50 million. The 'New Economy' initiative is set to begin in 2027.