United front: Preschool operators showing their letters of appeal for renegotiation to the Education Ministry. — LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
CYBERJAYA: Private preschool operators are seeking clear guidelines as new government policy shifts preschool age.
The groups are calling for clarity and a longer transition period following the government’s move to lower preschool and primary school entry ages under the National Education Development Plan (2026-2035).
“We support reform, but we need clear guidelines so schools know exactly what to do and how to prepare,” said Q-dees director Zee Zing Lee.
Operators urgently needed clear, written guidelines to explain the changes to parents and staff, she said at an emergency industry meeting here yesterday.
The meeting, which was attended by private preschool operators, came about following Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement last week that Malaysian children would begin pre-school at the age of five and enter Year One at six starting next year.
However, the Prime Minister said the move is not compulsory in its initial year as parents would have a choice on the matter.
Zee, in raising her concerns at the meeting, said uncertainty over assessments such as the Year Four learning evaluation had made communication with parents difficult.
“When parents ask about diagnostic assessments, timelines or requirements, we have no answers because details have not been shared,” she said.
Zee said a transition period was necessary to allow operators to adjust curriculum planning, teacher deployment and licensing.
She warned that such short notice and regulatory uncertainty could affect business sustainability, staffing and fee structures.
“We are willing to work with the ministry, but we need time, clear direction and a unified licensing system,” she said.
Brainy Bunch founder Mohd Fadzil Hashim said parents and schools alike were caught off guard by the changes.
“Parents are panicking because they are not prepared, and schools are not ready because we were not consulted,” he said.
He said parents were particularly worried about children being assessed at a younger age and the implications of the Year Four learning assessment.
GAINS Education Group founder Zaliza Alias said the policy shift appeared “half-baked” without a supporting national framework.
She noted that countries such as Singapore and Australia operate under unified quality frameworks that support children, teachers, parents and operators.
International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies chairman Prof Dr Maszlee Malik said private preschools represent the majority of early childhood education providers and should have been consulted earlier.
“When operators are left without complete information, the government needs to pay attention and engage them properly.
“A good policy becomes problematic when it comes as a surprise and people are unprepared,” said the former education minister in an interview after the meeting here yesterday.
