PUTRAJAYA: Form Six education will remain under the Education Ministry for now, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the decision was made after considering issues involving the existing system and teaching scheme.
Anwar said the government had previously discussed recognising Form Six as part of post-secondary education but acknowledged that transitioning it out of the ministry would take time.
“For now, I have decided that pre-university, or Form Six, will remain under the Education Ministry.”
On Jan 20, Anwar said the Higher Education Ministry will be taking over the entire pre-university education system, including Form Six and the matriculation programmes, next year.
The move would reclassify Form Six and matriculation students under the higher education framework rather than the school system, similar to how the Education Ministry oversees the preschool sector.
Addressing the Education Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday, Anwar said Form Six would continue to be administered by the ministry, with the arrangement to be reviewed after several years of implementation.
“If it is later found to be necessary, and there are dedicated Form Six colleges, that is a different matter,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Form Six students should be given a stronger pre-university identity even if they remain on the same school grounds.
“For example, if they are in the same school, Form Six students should have a separate block, and principals should manage it as a separate programme. They should not be treated as part of the school.”
While they may remain within the same school compound, Form Six students should be recognised as being in post-secondary, pre-university education, he added.
“However, the programme will continue to be administered by the Education Ministry because of issues involving the existing system, teachers and other related matters.”
