10 POLYTECHNICS TO BE UPGRADED, FREE EDUCATION EXPANDED -- ANWAR

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is drafting the Polytechnics and Community Colleges Act and plans to continuously upgrade 10 polytechnics as part of ongoing reforms in the higher education sector, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said the government is also working to expand access to free education and restructure pre-university programmes to modernise the national education system in the digital era and in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

In his speech at the launch of the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026–2035 here today, Anwar further highlighted the government’s commitment to free education from Year One to Form Six, including special allowances for students.

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“Two years ago, we provided RM100 to buy books. Last year, I instructed teachers be given funds to purchase books to encourage a reading culture,” he said.

Cabinet ministers, including Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, were present at the event.

The prime minister noted that declining interest in reading is a global phenomenon and Malaysia must take more proactive steps to address it.

“The reading culture, or culture of iqra’, is weakening. We must train children to read textbooks, books of choice and novels, because all education experts agree that interest in reading is declining,” he said.

Anwar also announced a major expansion of free higher education initiatives.

“Under last year’s Budget, about 5,800 students from the hardcore poor category received free education. Today, I am announcing that this number will be increased to 10,000 students under PTPTN assistance,” he said.

Anwar said about 3,000 students with disabilities in public universities, polytechnics and community colleges will immediately receive free education.

The new education blueprint announced by the prime minister involves the Ministry of Education (MOE) and MOHE.

Earlier, Anwar posted on his Facebook page that the blueprint represents education reform aimed at creating a fairer and more competitive future for children, grounded in values, so they can build meaningful and dignified lives.

The RPN is jointly led by MOHE through the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM), while MOE leads the Malaysian Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026–2035.

The integrated implementation of RPTM 2026–2035 and RPM 2026–2035 under RPN 2026–2035 reflects a phased and comprehensive alignment of national education policies, ensuring continuity in human capital development from school to higher education.

-- BERNAMA