KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has agreed to scrap a proposed diagnostic test to assess children’s eligibility for entry into Year One as early as age six, starting with the 2027 school session.
He said the proposal has been carefully reviewed, as well as concerns that such testing could present psychological impacts to children.
“The initial proposal was well intentioned, as it aimed to introduce an assessment system before children enter school. However, it was felt that it could be discriminatory in nature.
“This could lead to children being deemed unfit or less intelligent before entering Year One or preschool, which may have psychological consequences. Therefore, it is now scrapped. This was the education minister’s recommendation, and I agreed,” he said.
Anwar said this in reply to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s (MUDA-Muar) query during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
However, the prime minister said the absence of a diagnostic test does not mean monitoring would be neglected, rather teachers and parents should jointly bear the responsibility through continuous observation.
Anwar stressed that the government’s primary goal is to ensure six-year-olds are given an optimal learning environment.
He said that despite calls to delay entry into Year One at age six due to various concerns, Malaysia cannot afford to fall behind global education trends, noting that 137 countries already have similar policies.
He announced that an additional RM800 million will be set aside in Budget 2026 to meet urgent needs, including the recruitment of 18,000 new teachers.
“It is true that at the initial stage, the Education Ministry suggested postponing it by another year. I took a different view. If we delay it by a year, our children lose a year.
“Today’s generation is not the same as before. Generally, they are more mature, smarter and more perceptive. We should not rely on outdated thinking. What matters is giving them exposure,” Anwar said.
On school overcrowding, Anwar, who was education minister from 1987 to 1990, acknowledged that congestion remains a challenge, particularly in urban areas, but said a two-session school system could be considered for preschool and Year One pupils.
He said that while entry into Year One at age six will not be mandatory at the initial stage, parents are encouraged to consider enrolling their children.
Anwar said registration for the 2027 intake will run from February 15 to March 31 this year, while five-year-olds may be enrolled in preschool from April 6.
“I strongly urge all parents to register their children. We are offering flexibility because, at the early stage, we do not want parents to feel shocked or pressured, but we also provide space (for parents to consider). There is a one-year window to enter Year One,” he said.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the policy would increase government spending due to the expansion of free education to children aged five and six.
“That is why the Education Ministry, the Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry are working closely to review all aspects, namely funding, curriculum preparedness and parents' response, so the policy can be implemented as effectively as possible,” he said.
