Number of private primary and secondary schools on the rise

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that there is an increase in the number of private primary schools and private secondary schools.

Similarly there is a significant rise in the student enrollment at primary schools but it is not a big percentage for private secondary schools.

“As of the first quarter of 2024, there are 133 private primary schools which are made up of 68 academic and 65 religious primary schools. There has been an increase of 43 percent in the number of private primary schools since 2010.

“There are 109 private secondary schools which is made up of 68 academic secondary schools and 41 religious secondary schools. There is an increase of 21 percent for private secondary schools.

She said this in her written reply to Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) who asked for the number of private primary and secondary schools (including homeschooled) from the year 2000 to date and the number of students.

“In terms of enrollment, as of the first quarter of 2024, there 41,610 students in private primary schools. A total of 14,474 students are in academic primary schools and 27,136 students in religious primary schools. There is an increase of 53 percent.

“A total of 24,718 students are in private secondary schools, as of the first quarter of 2024.

“Of this figure, 14,866 are in academic secondary schools and 9,852 in religious secondary schools.

“The rising percentage of enrollment is only seven percent,” she said.