SHAH ALAM, Jan 20 — The government will launch a standardised Year 4 exam this year for four core subjects — Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics and Science, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He added that a similar national assessment will be introduced for Form 3 students in 2027, involving Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Science, and History.
“Both assessments will be centrally administered by the Examinations Board. They will be known as the Malaysian Learning Matrix,” he said today when launching the National Education Blueprint 2026-2035 in Putrajaya.
Anwar said the assessments are aimed at evaluating students’ learning in a more comprehensive and structured manner, in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen the quality of the national education system.
He added that all schools in the country, including religious, international and private education institutions, will be required to offer Bahasa Melayu and History as subjects in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam.
This policy extends to institutions offering the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
Meanwhile, students with a 4.0 CGPA in Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), matriculation, foundation, or diploma programmes will be guaranteed public university placements, while 10,000 extra scholarships, including 5,800 reserved for underprivileged families, will be offered, he added.
Anwar also announced that the tuition fees for 3,000 disabled students across public universities, polytechnics and community colleges would be waived.
He said that from next year, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) would take over the pre-university system, involving Form 6 and matriculation, to ensure a smoother transition into bachelor’s degree programmes.
He also announced that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) would be introduced in primary and secondary schools from 2027, with a focus on technology and digital skills.
Additionally, five primary and five secondary schools in each district would be chosen as “Inspirational Schools”.
The prime minister also said general studies would be taught in Bahasa Melayu at all public and private universities, with a focus on Malaysia’s constitution and history.
Anwar added that the government will allocate RM100 million to upgrade school staff rooms nationwide, noting that over 30 per cent are reportedly dilapidated.
