KUALA LUMPUR: Children can be enrolled in Year One once they turn seven, while entry at age six remains voluntary, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Regardless of whether the student enrolls at age six or seven, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said they will still have to undergo six years of primary education followed by five years of secondary education.
"It will not affect how many schooling years the child will have to go through.
"Entry for children aged six into Year One is only for those who are truly prepared cognitively and emotionally following a diagnostic assessment," she said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Jan 22).
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She stressed that the enrolment of six-year-olds in primary school will be done in a controlled manner and through phases.
Foundational learning will be further prioritised through the 2027 school curriculum to ensure basic mastery of literacy, numeracy and ability to learn, she added.
"This, too, will be tailored to the cognitive level of students.
"Student development will continue being monitored by schools, with the necessary support given where needed," she said.
Fadhlina added that the ministry will also optimise existing infrastructure in schools in preparations for next year's intake.
Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim-Bandar Baharu) had asked about the rationale behind allowing those aged six to enrol in Year One and if the ministry had conducted empirical studies or impact assessments before the proposal was made.
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Fadhlina stressed that the policy was not implemented to speed up academic learning.
"This is not a race. We must look at this policy holistically, where the focus is on evaluating the child’s development," she said.
She also noted that the measure was not taken in a rushed context, with various engagements having been carried out at the grassroots level.
On Tuesday (Jan 20), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that children in Malaysia will begin pre-school at the age of five and enter Year One at age six starting next year.
However, he stressed that the move will not be compulsory in its initial year, adding that parents would be given a choice if they feel their child is not ready.
