WAO welcomes compulsory secondary education, urges effective implementation
In a statement on Thursday (July 31), WAO expressed support for the decision to make secondary schooling compulsory for all, following the successful passing of the Education Amendment Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 30).
"We believe that education is a right, not a privilege. Every child, regardless of gender, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and fulfil their potential.
"This decision to make secondary education compulsory is not only a progressive step for Malaysia but a critical move towards fulfilling our international commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which guarantees every child the right to education without discrimination," the statement read.
WAO highlighted that compulsory secondary education would empower women and girls through education while also helping to prevent gender-based violence.
"Secondary education enables girls to develop skills, confidence, and opportunities critical for participating in the workforce and civic life. Education is one of the most effective tools for poverty reduction. Children who complete school are more likely to secure stable employment and improve their economic status.
"Education is also a protective factor. Girls who stay in school are statistically less likely to experience early marriage, intimate partner violence, or exploitation and other forms of gender-based violence," WAO stated.
The women's rights NGO added that compulsory secondary education would reduce inequalities through stronger legal support for the right to education among marginalised girls, including those in rural areas, Indigenous communities, and girls with disabilities.
WAO also called on the government to translate the policy into tangible outcomes by guaranteeing accessibility and inclusivity as well as making schools safer and more gender-sensitive.
"Effective implementation of compulsory secondary education requires robust and transparent monitoring mechanisms to ensure that no child is left behind. This data is critical for identifying trends, gaps, and groups at higher risk of exclusion or early school-leaving," WAO said.
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