Teachers' input sought on adjusting academic year, Dewan Rakyat told

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is gathering feedback from stakeholders on the plan to revert to the pre-pandemic academic calendar for schools, says Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh.

These stakeholder groups include the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), Sarawak Teachers Union and Sabah Government Teachers Union, he added.

“The aim is to get their feedback on the draft to revise the academic calendar for 2025 and 2026 before sending the plan for gazettement.

“The ministry will also ensure that the academic calendars fulfil the optimum teaching and learning sessions which are between 32 and 36 weeks,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 18).

Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar) had asked the ministry to state whether or not the government planned to restore the academic year to run from January to December, as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wong added that the academic calendar will also be aligned with national exams such as the SPM and STPM.

Mohd Misbahul also asked about plans to deal with any potential burden on teachers if the academic calendar is revised.

“There will be comprehensive coordination when the academic year is adjusted,” Wong replied.

In a supplementary question, Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) asked about the government's preparations for national exams coinciding with flood season once the academic calendar is adjusted.

“Around December (each year), there will be flooding. Is the current academic calendar (starting in March) better than the original one?

“What are the preparations by the government to face any natural disasters, like what happened in previous years?" Aminolhuda said.

Wong said the ministry was always on the alert for disaster situations, along with the state Education Departments and district Education offices.

“The ministry and its agencies have experience (coping with floods) and we will be ready for any circumstance," he added.

Last year, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that the academic calendar will revert to a January start from 2026.

The academic calendar is already being adjusted to this effect, with the 2025 session set to start in February.