The RM1 billion special fund for the construction, improvement and maintenance of schools provided in the 2012 Budget is expected to solve the problem of damaged school buildings by the end of next year.

Dr Puad Zarkashi Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi ( right ) said the ministry had identified 2,209 schools with severely damaged hostel, teacher's houses and building.

He said 5,555 blocks of the schools had structural damage, while wiring problems in about 6,600 blocks could cause fire.

"The ministry needs about RM500 million to solve these problems.

To save costs, a task force was set up to make their own assessment because private consultants could be expensive," he said.

Mohd Puad was speaking to reporters after opening SMK Tunku Anum Tunku Abdul Rahman's new hostel building at Jitra today.

He said the ministry had also received proposals from the private sector for the implementation of the Private Financing Initiative to repair and upgrade damaged school buildings.

Earlier, Mohd Puad also announced an additional allocation of RM2 million to refurbish SMK Tunku Anum Tunku Abdul Rahman's hostel for males.

The hostel was damaged in a fire on Aug 14.

- Bernama