Year One pupils for 2017 can’t be registered yet

PETALING JAYA: Parents in Selangor who wanted to register their children for Year One in 2017 through the state education department’s online application system have been left frustrated.

Parent Looi Chin Theng, who alerted The Star, said previously those whose children turned five could register two years ahead before they start Year One.

“However, this year, it appears that the registration is only open for children who are six and starting Year One next year.

“There has been a lot of confusion among parents as they are anxious at not being able to register their children,” she said.

Looi said it might appear like a simple change but claimed that there has been no announcement by the Selangor Education Department or the Education Ministry.

“We are worried about not getting a place for our child in the school of our choice,” she said.

Looi said she attempted to register her five-year-old child through the website http://apps.moe.gov.my/esppsel/ but could not do so due to “error messages constantly popping up”.

Yong Sook May claimed that many parents had been trying to reach either the ministry or the state education department.

“It is sad that we have to find out about the registration through Facebook postings of other parents.

“Our children’s education is very important to us as parents,” she said.

The state education department’s website advises parents to register their children who are starting Year One in 2016 online between March 1 and April 30.

It also provides a timeline of the process from registering online to checking which school the children have been registered in to the appeal process and when they start school next year.

There is no mention that parents can no longer register their five-year-old children who are starting Year One in two years’ time.

Since 2010, parents in Selangor who want to register their children for Year One must do so online. Previously, parents had to queue at the school they wanted to register their children in.

As at press time, officials from the Education Ministry and the state education department could not be reached for comment.