Year Four assessment to be implemented from this year, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced the implementation of the Standard Four Learning Assessment starting this year.

He said the assessment will involve five core subjects: Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Science and History.

“Beginning this year, the Standard Four assessment will be implemented and administered by the Malaysian Examinations Board,” he said when delivering his speech at the launch of the Malaysia Education Plan (RPM) and the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026–2035 here on Tuesday.

“This means that in 2027 we are not ready to make it mandatory, as there may be parents who feel that their children are not yet prepared.

“We will continue to allow children aged seven to enter Year One, but parents are strongly encouraged to prepare from now on so that children begin preschool at five and enter Year One at six,” he said on Tuesday.

Anwar added that the decision was made to keep pace with changing times and evolving demands.

He explained that children today are already able to distinguish matters and demonstrate greater maturity as early as the age of five compared with previous generations.

“In the past, children were only eligible to enter Year One at the age of seven.

“At the same time, we will place comprehensive emphasis on the preschool system. We have instructed the Education Ministry (MOE) to take over and coordinate this,” he said.

He also assured that all preparations related to the matter would be expedited.

“That is why I have directed that, starting now, the announcements made must be followed by swift action by the relevant ministries to ensure that all basic facilities are enhanced,” he said.