Mandatory preschool education for children starting from age 5 implementation planned
Malaysia is embarking on a significant journey to improve the quality of its national education system, as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) launched in 2025. The government aims to make substantial changes that will make education more accessible, effective, and globally competitive.
Compulsory Preschool Education at Age Five
One of the key proposed changes is making preschool education compulsory for children aged five. This initiative is aimed at improving early childhood education nationwide, with a focus on expanding preschool facilities, especially in rural areas. The goal is to ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to start their educational journey on the right foot.
Centralized Management of Education
For secondary schooling, the Ministry of Education will oversee education from preschool through secondary levels, centralizing authority to ensure policy coherence and effectiveness. Pre-university and higher education will be managed separately by the Ministry of Higher Education.
Review of School Hours and Special Schools
The government will review optimal school hours to improve learning outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of special schools, including specialized education models for gifted and talented students. The aim is to better tailor education to different learner needs, ensuring that every student receives an education that suits their abilities.
Emphasis on Languages, STEM, and Digital Skills
The reforms will also place emphasis on English as a medium of instruction, expanding additional language options, and reinforcing STEM education and digital literacy. This includes an introduction to basic artificial intelligence concepts to prepare students for future job markets.
Infrastructure Investments
Infrastructure investments are a crucial part of these reforms. The government plans to upgrade 1,200 dilapidated schools as of 2025, fund RM67 billion for building new schools and upgrading existing ones, mandate school construction in large new housing projects, and develop vertical schools to address urban land constraints and overcrowding.
A Forward-Looking Curriculum
A new National Education Council will be established to coordinate, monitor, and design interventions to ensure the education system remains forward-looking and globally competitive. The standards will be measured by internationally recognized assessments such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and the Programme for International Students Assessment.
Goals and Aspirations
The government aims to increase the enrolment rate at preschools and secondary schools to 98%, surpassing the global average. They also aim to foster compassionate and courteous individuals through quality education.
The proposed reforms have been met with debate in the Dewan Rakyat, with discussions regarding an amendment that makes Form 5 mandatory for all students. The government seeks to improve the quality of the national education system and has suggested penalties for parents who fail to comply with the new law, including fines or jail time. However, many MPs have expressed concerns about the enforcement of these penalties, and a delay in their implementation has been requested.
The ultimate goal is to bring the national education system up to international standards and provide every child in Malaysia with a high-quality education that will equip them for success in the future.
- In alignment with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has proposed making preschool education compulsory for children aged five, to enhance early childhood education nationwide and provide equal opportunities for every child.
- In the realm of government policies, the Ministry of Education will assume centralized management of education from preschool through secondary levels in Malaysia, to ensure policy coherence and effectiveness.
- The Malaysian government has outlined a review of optimal school hours and the effectiveness of special schools, including educational models for gifted and talented students, as part of their education reforms, to better cater to diverse learning needs.
- The education reforms in Malaysia will place emphasis on strengthening English as a medium of instruction, expanding language options, reinforcing STEM education, and integrating digital literacy, including basic artificial intelligence concepts, to prepare students for future job markets.
- Achieving international standards in the nation's education system is a primary goal for the Malaysian government, with plans to upgrade infrastructure, such as dilapidated schools and school construction in new housing projects, investing RM67 billion, and mandating the development of vertical schools to address urban land constraints and overcrowding.
