KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Education (MOE) has committed to ongoing engagement sessions with private kindergarten operators, preschools, and parents to clarify the policy regarding the enrollment of children into Year One at the age of six.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that the ministry remains open to feedback and concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly private operators who may still require further clarification on specific aspects of the upcoming implementation.
Optional, Not Mandatory
Addressing public concerns, Fadhlina clarified that the early entry of six-year-olds into Year One is optional and not a mandatory requirement.
“For parents who feel their children are ready to enter Year One at age six, there is no issue. For others, the process remains as usual,” she told reporters at the Penang PKR Chinese New Year MADANI Open House on Wednesday.
The minister’s statement comes as part of the preparations for the new school curriculum slated for implementation in 2027. The MOE has been conducting engagement sessions to discuss strategies for integrating younger learners into the primary school system.
Rural Concerns and Continuity
Fadhlina also addressed the anxieties of parents in rural areas, assuring them that government preschools will continue to accept six-year-olds as per the current standard. There is no compulsion for parents to push their children into Year One earlier than the traditional age.
“These engagement sessions are continuous. If issues arise within the community, it is the MOE’s responsibility to provide clarity so that the public can understand and accept these policies effectively,” she added.
The event in Bayan Baru was also attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid.
