RPN 2026-2035 : NEW ANCHOR OF MALAYSIA’S FUTURE-DRIVEN EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 set a clear national direction to elevate talent, expand access to quality education, and build a seamless, strategically coordinated support system to nurture every Malaysian learner from the foundational stage through higher education and lifelong learning.

Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said RPN recognises that education must function as a single, integrated continuum rather than fragmented stages. 

He said that by aligning early education, school pathways, and tertiary education, the plan establishes a coherent national framework that ensures continuity, coherence, and progression in learning outcomes. 

"This approach enables timely, evidence-based interventions when needed, ensuring that no talent is left behind and that learners are guided to the most appropriate programmes at each stage of development," he said in a statement here, today.

Noor Azuan said at the heart of RPN was a multi-pronged platform for skills and talent development which, through structured pathways, targeted interventions and adaptive support mechanisms, enabled learners to be redirected to the most suitable academic, technical, vocational or research-oriented tracks.

He said systematic assessment at appropriate intervals, crucial for producing world-class, future-ready human capital, will facilitate the early identification of strengths and gaps, ensure personalised development, uphold national benchmarks for excellence and enable contributions to both national priorities and the global knowledge economy.

On the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM), he said it placed strong emphasis on strengthening national identity by ensuring robust coverage of history and constitutional studies at university level, an approach which reinforced civic understanding, national cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose among future leaders.

“Equally important is the renewed focus on values, conscience and morality as integral components of education, recognising that sustainable national progress depends on character, ethics and integrity alongside skills and innovation” he said.

Meanwhile, UM Counselling and Disability Empowerment Centre (CDE) head Lizawati Abd Sane welcomes the government’s initiative under RPTM to introduce free education for students with disabilities (OKU), in line with ongoing efforts to expand equitable access to higher education for persons with disabilities.

“This initiative is consistent with Universiti Malaya’s Inclusive Policy for Persons with Disabilities and is viewed positively, as disability-friendly infrastructure, accessible and flexible curricula supported by technology, and financial assistance are already in place.

“These measures reduce psychological and financial burdens on students with disabilities and neurodivergent students, strengthen the UM Neurodivergent Guidelines launched on Oct 13 and support a more inclusive higher education ecosystem,” she said.

On Jan 20, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched RPN 2026-2035 which is jointly led by the Higher Education Ministry through the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 and the Education Ministry through the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

-- BERNAMA