PUTRAJAYA, Jan 20 — The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) is drafting the Polytechnics and Community Colleges Act and plans to upgrade 10 polytechnics as part of ongoing reforms in the higher education sector, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
He said the government is also working to expand access to free education and restructure pre-university programmes to modernise the national education system in the digital era and in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Anwar also highlighted the government’s commitment to free education from Year 1 to Form 6, including special allowances for students.
“Two years ago, we provided RM100 to buy books. Last year, I instructed teachers be given funds to buy books to encourage a reading culture,” he said in a speech at the launch of the National Education Blueprint 2026-2035 (RPN) here today.
Also present were Cabinet members including Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.
The prime minister noted that declining interest in reading is a global phenomenon and Malaysia must take more proactive steps.
“The reading culture, or culture of iqra’, is weakening. We must train children to read textbooks, books of choice and novels, because all education experts agree that interest in reading is declining,” he said.
Anwar also announced a major expansion of free higher education initiatives.
“Under last year’s budget, about 5,800 students from the hardcore poor category received free education. Today, I am announcing that this number will be increased to 10,000 students under PTPTN assistance,” he said.
Anwar said about 3,000 students with disabilities in public universities, polytechnics and community colleges will immediately receive free education.
The new education plan announced by the prime minister involves the Education Ministry (MOE) and MOHE.
Earlier, Anwar posted on his Facebook page that the plan represents education reform aimed at creating a fairer and more competitive future for children, grounded in values, so they can build meaningful and dignified lives.
The National Education Blueprint is jointly led by the MOHE through the Malaysian Higher Education Plan (RPTM), while MOE leads the Malaysian Education Plan (RPM).
The integrated implementation of the RPTM and RPM under the RPN 2026-2035 reflects a phased and comprehensive alignment of national education policies, ensuring continuity in human capital development from primary to tertiary education.
