GEORGE TOWN: The Education Ministry will continue its engagement sessions with private kindergarten and preschool operators, as well as parents, to provide further clarification on issues arising from the enrolment of Year One pupils at the age of six.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry is open to feedback, including from private kindergarten operators who have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the policy.
She stressed that the ministry is prepared to hold further engagement sessions to address any outstanding concerns.
"If there are still parties who are unhappy, we will continue with the engagement sessions. In Malaysia, we take every issue raised during these discussions seriously," she said.
"There is no problem for us to continue the engagement sessions to provide clarification,” she told reporters after attending the Penang PKR Chinese New Year Madani Open House at Wisma PKR in Bayan Baru on Wednesday (Feb 18).
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also state chairman of Pakatan, State Leadership Council chairman Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, as well as other state party leaders, were also in attendance.
The PKR Women’s chief said claims that preschool operators back the "Year One at six" policy are misleading, and their meeting attendance does not imply approval.
MCA Penang vice chairman of the Election Preparation and Scrutiny Committee Chan Wooi Jin said the government should conduct a thorough study and hold dialogues, rather than mistaking operators’ meeting attendance for policy support.
Media reports cited that the Education Ministry held sessions with private kindergarten operators to plan the admission of six-year-olds into Year One from 2027 under the new curriculum.
Fadhlina said that entry into Year One at age six is optional, not mandatory.
She added that parents who feel their child is ready for Year One can proceed, while others can continue as usual.
She reassured parents, especially in rural areas, that government preschools will continue to take six-year-olds, with no pressure to start Year One early. - Bernama
