YEAR ONE AT AGE SIX: EDUCATION MINISTER URGES PARENTS TO REMAIN CALM

ALOR SETAR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Parents are advised not to panic regarding the entry of Year One at age six in 2027, as only those who are truly ready and pass a special assessment will be selected for the programme.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the readiness of children is the most important factor to be evaluated, adding that the ministry (MOE) will conduct a diagnostic test to assess various criteria, including the child’s psycho-emotional state.

“Parents should remain calm and see this as a reform in the education system. That’s why we’re starting with it being optional; it’s not mandatory.

“However, even with this option, parents cannot make the decision freely; it must be based on the child’s readiness,” she said after the PAKAT Preschool Programme at the Kedah State Education Department here today.

On infrastructure, Fadhlina said the diagnostic tests would provide data on the number of students enrolling earlier, which will help with preparations.

“The MOE is identifying schools that are ready with the necessary classrooms. If classrooms are insufficient, we are prepared to build them using the Industrialised Building System (IBS), which can be completed quickly,” she added.

Fadhlina also said that MOE will allocate teachers to meet the requirements, with teachers needing to be equipped with the skills to handle six-year-olds entering Year One.

“Overall, preparations are underway in terms of infrastructure, teachers, and the diagnostic test. We will keep parents informed so they can be prepared and make the best decision for their children,” she said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that, starting in 2027, six-year-olds may enter Year One as part of the implementation of the Malaysian Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026–2035. However, this will be optional and dependent on the parents’ decision.

Fadhlina also said the trend of increasing enrollment of special needs students every year has prompted the Ministry of Education (MOE) to expand special education facilities and capacity nationwide.

She said special education is also one of the ministry's main focuses in implementing the new curriculum that fully supports the needs of special needs students.

"We see a trend every year, a 20 per cent increase in enrollment of special needs education children. So we see that there is a very urgent need for us to expand it.

"That's why the curriculum has not left them behind, the new curriculum will follow... God willing, we also plan to strengthen special education sports schools, and there are many other plans, especially to complete their infrastructure, so they are not left behind," she said.

-- BERNAMA