LABUAN — A total of 989 students from 25 schools in Labuan have been identified as being absent from school due to transportation problems, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
She said the figure was part of 1,885 students recorded as being absent from school in Labuan for various reasons.
“Of these, the Labuan Federal Territory Education Department identified 989 students from 25 schools who were absent due to transportation problems,” she said at the launch of the Student Transportation Facilities Initiative to Schools in the Federal Territory of Labuan at SMK Lajau here today.
Yeoh said the issue was not limited to students from a particular income group, as the students came from families with various socioeconomic backgrounds, including poor and hardcore poor households.
She said the initiative would initially be implemented at six schools involving 437 students, with 22 buses provided to transport them to and from school.
The six schools are SMK Mutiara, SMK Lajau, SMK Pantai, SMK Labuan, SK Bebuloh and SMK Taman Perumahan Bedaun.
“The implementation will run from September to December 2026, with the Government allocating RM174,800 for the initiative at the six schools.
“Transportation assistance of up to RM100 per student per month will be provided, depending on the students’ journeys and individual needs,” she said.
Yeoh said the programme would be expanded in stages to other schools once their financial documents were completed according to the prescribed guidelines.
She said the Government would also monitor the effectiveness of the initiative by assessing whether students were using the service and whether their attendance had improved.
“The target is a school attendance rate of at least 90 per cent of total student enrolment, but I want us to look specifically at the 437 children receiving this facility.
“After four months, we need to ask whether they are attending school more consistently. If so, we know the programme is helping; if not, we need to find out why and make improvements,” she said.
Yeoh said attendance records and use of the transportation service would be monitored by the Education Department, schools and Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG).
She also expressed appreciation to the Federal Territories Department, Labuan Corporation, Labuan Federal Territory Education Department, schools, PIBGs and the Labuan Mini Bus Operators Association for their cooperation in implementing the initiative.
She stressed that all mini buses involved must be registered, possess valid licences and ensure students’ safety during their journeys to and from school.
“Students must always wear their seat belts. We want children to reach school, and we want them to reach school safely,” she said.
Yeoh said the initiative was aimed at ensuring transportation problems did not become a barrier to students receiving an education.
“Success is not measured by how many buses are operating or how much money we spend, but by whether a child who previously struggled to get to school can now attend more consistently,” she said.
She said the initiative was ultimately about ensuring that every child had the opportunity to attend school consistently regardless of their family’s circumstances.
