KUALA LUMPUR: The amendments to make secondary school education compulsory will be tabled at the next Parliament sitting, says Datuk Azman Adnan.
Known as the Education Bill 2025, the Education Ministry director-general said it would see amendments made to Section 29(A) of the Education Act 1996.
"The Education Ministry will table the Education Bill 2025 at the second meeting of the fourth term of the 15th Parliament session that is coming up (in June)," he said at a briefing on the Bill Wednesday (March 19).
He said extending compulsory education to secondary school is also part of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
As of 2024, the secondary school enrolment rate stands at 94.66%, which is below Unesco's universal enrolment rate benchmark of 95%.
Azman said if the Bill is passed, students will need to study at any public or private educational institutions registered under the ministry, or set up under acts and enactments under the federal government.
Although parents or guardians could be fined up to RM5,000 or be jailed up to six months, or both if they do not send their children to secondary school, Azman said legal action would be the last resort.
The ministry, he added, prefers to pursue advocacy and raising awareness instead to get the children enrolled in secondary schools.
He also said the future of the nation depends on ensuring our children get an education, especially secondary school, to avoid having their opportunity for further education limited.
This also affects their future job opportunities and can leave them exposed to social problems, he said.
Also present was Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who said that based on feedback from their multiple engagement sessions with stakeholders, the response has been in favour of making secondary school education compulsory.
"Our (the Education Ministry's) schools are also free, so there is no need to worry about costs," she added.
The Bill was initially slated to be tabled last month.
Last year, the Cabinet gave its preliminary approval to make secondary education compulsory.
