In a parliamentary written reply to Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, it said 73 of these buildings have been categorised as “level 7”, which is considered unsafe by the Public Works Department (JKR).

The remaining schools are at “level 6”, unsafe according to standards set by the technical staff of the district and state education departments.

“The estimated cost expected to be involved in upgrading and redeveloping dilapidated buildings in the 1,311 schools is RM15.077 billion,” the ministry said.

“However, the implementation of this project is subject to the approval of the central agency and the current financial position of the government.”