Kuala lumpur: The restructuring of the 2026 Academic Calendar has been implemented in a planned and phased manner starting from the 2023/2024 session, ensuring compliance with the minimum requirement of 190 schooling days as required by the Education Act and related regulations. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh highlighted these details during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the process of restructuring also involves adjustments to teaching and learning schedules, major examinations, and school term holidays to maintain smooth school operations. Extensive engagement sessions were conducted with State Education Departments, District Education Offices, school administrators, and stakeholders. This also included the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), the Sarawak Teachers' Union, and the Sabah Government Teachers' Union, to collect feedback and avoid disruptions.

Wong expressed confidence that the decision will provide optimum benefits to students, teachers, and the overall education ecosystem. The ministry remains open to feedback from all stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness of the new academic calendar. Wong was addressing a query from Senator Tuan Michael Mujah Lihan regarding whether reverting the 2026 Academic Calendar to January would impact school operations and if studies had been conducted to evaluate its effectiveness.