PUTRAJAYA - Six-year-old students will only be eligible to enter Year One in 2027 if they successfully pass a special diagnostic test to be introduced by the Education Ministry (MOE).
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the move is in line with the implementation of the Malaysia Education Plan (RPM) 2026–2035, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, aimed at giving parents greater flexibility in determining their children’s early education pathway.
She said the new policy is not mandatory but an option that must be supported by a special diagnostic assessment to evaluate the students’ psycho-emotional development, skills and readiness before they progress to Year One.
“We are not leaving this decision solely to parents. Children must undergo a diagnostic test first. From there, we will determine whether they are truly ready to follow the new Year One curriculum,” she said.
She was speaking after attending the Pakat Preschool Programme at the Kedah State Education Department here on Wednesday.
Fadhlina said that parents will need to register their children for the special diagnostic test, with details of its implementation to be announced later.
She added that preparations for the policy’s rollout also involve school infrastructure, teacher scheduling and systemic support, which will be implemented in phases.
According to her, the MOE is identifying schools that are ready to implement the policy, including the construction of new classrooms using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to address overcrowding.
“We already have experience building more than 100 schools using IBS to overcome overcrowding issues. So if there is a need for additional facilities, we are prepared to implement them within a short timeframe,” she said.
On teacher requirements, Fadhlina stressed that scheduling and placements will be organised based on data obtained from the diagnostic test.
She added that teachers will also be given training to master specific aspects in order to support pupils entering Year One.
“Our teachers are always available. What matters is how we organise their placements to meet the needs of six-year-old pupils entering Year One,” she said.