THE Education Ministry (MoE) will implement several comprehensive initiatives to achieve targets outlined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035.
The Learning Matrix for Year Four, and for Form Three, beginning this year and in 2027 respectively, is an initiative that the government believes will reduce educational disparities among students.
This, said the ministry, is because these assessments afford students the opportunity to participate in interventions before entering secondary school.
The Year Four assessment comprises four subjects - Bahasa Melayu (BM), English, Science and Mathematics, while the Form Three assessment covers the four core subjects in addition to History. Both assessments will be centrally administered by the Examinations Board.
The national curriculum, added the ministry, will be used as a tool to reinforce the “Bangsa Malaysia” identity.
All Malaysian children who do not follow the national curriculum will have to take the BM and History subjects that comply with the national curriculum.
This will apply to all types of schools in the country, including international and private schools.
To improve the quality of national schools, the government will begin by having five national schools under each district education office achieve the level and quality that match the characteristics of an “Inspirational School” under the School Reform agenda.
The main focus will be on students’ mastery of BM, English, additional languages and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, having fully equipped infrastructure and an efficient school management.
Each school will be allocated RM100,000 for this initiative, and efforts will continue until national schools become the rakyat’s first choice.
Another of the ministry’s initiative is for Malaysia children to start preschool at the age of five and to enter Year One at six from 2027.
Starting primary school at six years old is, however, not compulsory for now. Enrolment will depend on whether a child, and their parents, feel ready.
The entry age adjustment reflects the government’s commitment to building the foundation for lifelong learning, improving student achievement and ensuring that every child begins their education at the right time, with balanced and quality support.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said children will have to undergo a holistic diagnostic test to determine their readiness before they can start earlier.
Before implementation next year, she said that the ministry will be carrying out studies to determine infrastructure needs to ensure it can support the influx of students entering Year One.
Through the 2027 School Curriculum, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) elements will be introduced from Year One to Year Six. This is to lay the foundation for TVET among the nation’s young talents.
Students at the lower secondary level (Forms One, Two and Three) will also be exposed to more advanced content, skills and values from various technology and digital fields.
Meanwhile, Vocational College students will undergo English proficiency programmes to enhance their communication skills and marketability.
There is also an allocation of RM100mil this year to upgrade teachers’ rooms, with priority given to basic furniture, supporting infrastructure and safe and comfortable work facilities.
The ministry acknowledged that some teachers’ rooms in schools are not conducive to work and require immediate improvement, as their condition is affecting well-being, motivation, and the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
This initiative, it added, is a strategic investment to preserve the well-being of teachers, strengthen professionalism, and improve the quality of national education.
It would also boost motivation, creativity and professionalism, while strengthening work culture and productivity. - By REBECCA RAJAENDRAM
