Laptops, projectors, and modern teaching materials may be common in urban classrooms but they are a luxury in rural schools.

So much so that teachers have to fork out their own money for these teaching aids.

Several government school teachers told Malaysiakini that they hope this shortcoming can be addressed in Budget 2016.

However, they spoke on condition of anonymity over concerns they may face action for speaking to the media as a member of the civil service.

For a national primary school teacher in Kedah, he hoped for a more equitable funding between urban and rural schools.

"We have to use our own money to purchase teaching aids when such funds should come from the government.

"We can't possible just look on when our students want to learn but there is not enough teaching materials," he said, adding that it was a burden on teachers' finances.

Another secondary school teacher in Langkawi said he hoped schools in rural area would get sufficient ICT equipment for teaching as most subjects these days require them.

"The equipment right now is limited. If there is enough, it will be more convenient for students to access information," said the 29-year-old teacher.

Educators need motivation too

Other education staff also hoped to see better allowances for their sector in Budget 2016.

For a teacher in Sungai Besar, Selangor, he hoped for more allowance for teachers who have to take on extra duties such as coordinators for academic and co-curricular programmes.

"They have to plan and coordinate performance programmes for the school.

"With the allowances, they can be more creative and motivated," said the teacher of 22 years who proposed an allowance of RM200.

Another teacher from Kedah, with 25 years of experience, hoped that leave for hajj can be fixed at 60 days.

She said the number of leave days granted for the Muslim pilgrimage was inconsistent.

Sometimes, teachers may need to use their emergency leave as the allocated days were not enough.

She added that the hajj was a once in a lifetime religious undertaking.