Preschool Mandatory At Age Five, Community Schools To Be Expanded
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Early childhood education will be made compulsory at the age of five, while community-based schools for Orang Asli, longhouse residents and rural populations will be expanded, according to the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) document released by the Ministry of Economy today.
The document states that education reform is a key pillar of the structural transformation outlined under 13MP, aimed at improving learning outcomes, strengthening teacher competencies, and enhancing the overall quality of teaching and learning nationwide.
To achieve these goals, eight strategies will be implemented during the plan period. These include strengthening governance, rationalising the roles of education institutions, improving student performance, and refining assessment and evaluation mechanisms.
Other focus areas include upgrading educator competencies, boosting investment in education, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.
Formal primary education will begin at age six in line with international norms, the document states. English will be used as part of the medium of instruction and communication for lower primary students, while the teaching of additional languages will be expanded at the primary level.
Governance across the education continuum, from preschool to secondary, and including pre-university and higher education, will be streamlined to enhance service delivery. A new law will be introduced to regulate early childhood education, while regulatory oversight of alternative education will be strengthened.
According to the document, a national education council will be established to coordinate, monitor and propose intervention measures to ensure a progressive, world-class education system.
A pilot initiative to grant greater autonomy to universities will also be introduced to strengthen financial sustainability and institutional competitiveness. In parallel, access to education for students with special needs will be expanded nationwide, from preschool to secondary school.
A comprehensive review will be conducted to determine optimal school hours, evaluate the effectiveness of specialised schools, and improve education models for gifted and talented students.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
26 minutes ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Op Sohor: MACC received information from Johor Regent
CYBERJAYA — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed today Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail had provided information that assisted the investigations under Op Sohor, which are currently still ongoing. Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki said the Regent also wanted to curb smuggling at the country's borders. 'I would like to inform that His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Johor as Regent of Johor, has been very cooperative in this matter and wants such activities to be curbed,' he told the media after the close of the Anti-Corruption Graduates Convention (KOMAWAR) here today, adding that the syndicate is believed to be focused only in the southern region of the country with no new arrests being made. 'I expect so far there has been no (new arrests), if there are any links, (for instance) when we look into money laundering it might be possible there are other parties benefitting from this activity, and if so, we will investigate further,' he said. He also said that the commission was looking into the reasons behind the existence of the online media company that two of the suspects arrested under Op Sohor were working for and confirmed that both suspects were not from any mainstream media. 'They work for a company, which name I can't reveal, and we're looking into why it was set up,' Azam said, adding that they believed that both the suspects acted as enablers by leaking information to the syndicate. The MACC had arrested five senior armed forces officers on Wednesday for allegedly leaking military operation information to smugglers and colluding with a syndicate to smuggle in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, estimated to be worth RM5 million a month. Meanwhile, Azam said during his speech at the close of KOMAWAR that it was organised not only to provide exposure and education on corruption and integrity but to instill values and build character among university students. The biennial KOMAWAR's objective is to shape a generation of graduates to reject corruption and allow youth to support integrity and transparency in the country's administration, he added. — BERNAMA
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Home Minister: Foreigner's Visa Status Does Not Grant Immunity To Break Malaysian Law
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The visa status held by foreigners does not grant them immunity to break the law in this country. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said firm and stringent action will be taken against any foreign national who violates Malaysia's laws, including breaching pass conditions, posing a security threat, or disturbing public order. He said actions taken include pass cancellation, blacklisting, and deportation to the country of origin, and this principle is applied consistently, irrespective of the individual's background or status. "Visa status, whether as a student, investor, long-term visit pass holder, or participant in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, does not provide immunity from the laws of this country. "The safety of Malaysians and the sovereignty of the nation are non-negotiable priorities," he said in a statement tonight. Saifuddin said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) consistently carries out its enforcement duties in a professional manner, without discrimination or exceptions based on race or country of origin, particularly in cases involving foreigners. He added that the law investigates all reports involving foreign nationals and takes appropriate action to ensure public safety, including in cases that receive media coverage. "Recent incidents involving foreigners that have gone viral have drawn public attention, but it must be emphasised that each case will be handled properly through existing laws," he said. He further said that Malaysia has specified that the recruitment of low-skilled foreign workers is permitted only from 15 officially designated source countries, and China is not among them.
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Sultan Nazrin Graces State-Level National Month Patriotism Event For Students
IPOH, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah graced a patriotism event held in conjunction with the Perak-level National Month 2025 celebrations at the Banquet Hall of the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here tonight. His Royal Highness was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim and escorted by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and his wife Datin Seri Aezer Zubin, along with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah. The programme, which included an elocution competition, along with essay writing, poetry, caricature drawing and poster drawing contests, as well as choral speaking and oral rhyming, is aimed to nurture Malaysians with a national identity and an understanding of the second Rukun Negara principle, Loyalty to King and Country.
