25-07-2025
Poor conditions, safety concerns among reasons teachers' quarters unoccupied, says Fadhlina
KUALA LUMPUR: Unfavourable physical conditions and high maintenance costs were among the factors 17,524 units of teachers' quarters were unoccupied, says Fadhlina Sidek ( pic ).
The Education Minister said a study by the ministry had also found that the quarters were sometimes located in unstrategic or unsafe areas, making them targets for theft and vandalism.
'The total number of teachers' quarters under the Education Ministry is 47,855 units.
'As of June 2025, out of this total, 31,004 units are occupied while 17,524 units remain unoccupied.
'From the number of unoccupied units, the Ministry has successfully optimised 673 quarters, which include 125 units with repurposed functions, 40 units for shared use, 58 units transferred in ownership, and 400 units leased to private agencies,' she said in a parliamentary written reply to Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau).
Kamal had asked the ministry to state the government's efforts in optimising teacher quarters in the country.
Fadhlina said that for short-term solutions, the ministry is centralising residents living in teacher quarters with high vacancy rates to moderately occupied quarters.
'Vacated teacher quarters will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine their suitability for optimisation through rental, leasing to interested parties, or recommended demolition if there is no demand, to curb social issues at these premises,' she said.
She also said that the ministry is reviewing applications from Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) to establish strategic collaborations to address issues related to unoccupied teachers' quarters, including refurbishing and optimising their usage.
'Following the Cabinet Memorandum (CM) on Nov 22, 2024, outlining the direction to optimize the use of unoccupied quarters, the ministry has received an application from the Home Ministry to explore the possibility of housing members and staff of agencies and departments in Education Ministry-owned unoccupied quarters.
'It is estimated that around 613 quarters will be jointly occupied by Home Ministry agencies and departments such as the police, National Anti-Drug Agency, and Malaysia Volunteer Department,' she added.
In May, The Star reported that teachers had shared their concerns at having to live in poorly maintained quarters nationwide.
