RPN 2026-2035 TO DRIVE EDUCATION EXCELLENCE, HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN SABAH AND SARAWAK

By Fadzli Ramli & Rozlin Rusharmeen Rosmin

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The implementation of the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 is viewed as instrumental in raising the quality of education and advancing human capital development in Sabah and Sarawak.

Sabah Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk James Ratib, said the restructuring of the national education system was a timely and much-anticipated move to enhance the performance of students in the state.

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He said the reforms outlined in the strategic plan were well-aligned with the current need to nurture a more competitive young generation, especially in Sabah.

“For me, Sabah is indeed suitable for the implementation of the RPN and this new structural change,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the RPN 2026-2035, a strategic plan for national education reform jointly led by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, aimed at establishing a fairer, value-driven education system.

In his address at the launch of  RPN 2026–2035 in Putrajaya, Anwar said the big leap initiative taken by the government must serve as a major wake-up call to drive meaningful change and better results, particularly in shaping students’ moral qualities, identity and sense of humanity.

On the government’s move to let parents choose to enrol their children in Year One at the age of six from 2027, James said the change reflects the rapidly advancing intellectual development of children today.

“Children these days are already highly capable; some can read well by the age of five, making it appropriate for them to enter Year One at six,” he said.

Meanwhile, in KUCHING, Sarawak Women, Children and Community Well-being Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah stressed that school readiness must be a priority to ensure that the transition from preschool to Year One does not place undue pressure on children.

“In preschool, they mainly mix with children aged four to six, so it can be overwhelming when they start school if they’re not ready socially and cognitively.

“Teachers accepting six-year-olds into Year One should also refer to the student’s preschool (development) file as an initial reference for their progress,” she said at a press conference aftter the Sedidik Board of Directors meeting today.

Meanwhile, Fatimah said the policy change would also have implications for kindergarten and nursery operators in Sarawak, as six-year-old children would have the option to no longer attend preschool starting in 2027.

She added that the situation would require a readjustment of the curriculum, teaching methods and preschool service structure, which currently only caters to children aged four and five.

“This issue will be discussed in detail at the Sarawak Early Childhood Development Council meeting scheduled for Feb 24, involving representatives of kindergarten associations, preschool teachers, nursery operators and registered babysitters,” she said.

Regarding the announcement of free education for 3,000 students with disabilities at public higher education institutions (IPTA), polytechnics and community colleges, Fatimah described it as an appropriate measure.

She said the initiative also reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring more inclusive access to education and demonstrated its concern for people with special needs.

“Providing incentives such as fee exemptions can ease the burden and encourage more individuals with special needs to pursue their studies at higher education institutions,” Fatimah said.

-- BERNAMA