EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVES WELCOME GOVT PLAN TO MAKE BM, HISTORY COMPULSORY IN SPM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Representatives from various education streams in Malaysia have welcomed the government’s plan to make Bahasa Melayu (BM) and History compulsory subjects in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

MADANI government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek highlighted the matter during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.

“The Minister informed that meetings were held this week with representatives from international schools, Maahad Tahfiz schools, and the Board of Chinese School Managers (Dong Zong), which had raised issues concerning the United Examination Certificate (UEC).

“The meetings went very well, and the government’s implementation plan was broadly accepted by all parties present,” Fahmi said at his weekly press conference.

Fahmi, who is also Minister of Communications, added that the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) will meet next week with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to review university entry pathways based on the requirement for these two subjects in schools.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar, when launching the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026–2035 on Jan 20, announced that all education streams, including international schools, religious schools and UEC schools, will be required to offer BM and History in SPM.

The RPN is jointly overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026–2035 and the MOE through the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026–2035.

In a separate matter, Fahmi said the Cabinet will seek clarification from the MOE regarding reports that the estimated cost of constructing a classroom has risen to between RM280,000 and RM520,000.

He noted that although the issue was not discussed in today’s Cabinet meeting, school infrastructure remains a key priority, with the Prime Minister emphasising that classrooms should be provided using the Industrialised Building System (IBS).

Media reports indicate that the estimated cost of constructing school buildings, including classrooms, staircases, corridors and toilets, increased to RM280,000–RM520,000 for 2021–2026, compared with RM180,000–RM250,000 for 2016–2020.

-- BERNAMA