Kuala lumpur:<Text>

Though the events took place 13 years ago, Datuk Dr Mohamed Sulaiman Sultan Suhaibuddeen vividly recalls the mixed feelings of anxiety and confidence as he watched his son, Amerrul Idzham, begin Year One at the age of six. As a father, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) chief network security officer admitted that the decision to send his child to school early was not an easy one, as his son was still very young, and concerns about his ability to adapt were constantly on his mind.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Sulaiman shared that the decision was influenced by a recommendation from his son's kindergarten teacher and an assessment by the State Education Department (JPN). The process included an evaluation and an eligibility interview, which ultimately led to official approval for his son to enter Year One at the age of six. This process reassured Mohamed Sulaiman and his wife that their son was ready for the challeng es ahead.

Mohamed Sulaiman expressed a sense of pride and responsibility as he watched his son confidently step into primary school earlier than most children. He emphasized the importance of parental involvement in monitoring and supporting their child's educational journey. The early start had a positive impact on his son, particularly in fostering an interest in learning and building self-confidence. His son, now 19, has successfully continued his studies and is currently a first-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sungai Buloh.

He highlighted that early entry into school allowed his son to shorten his education period by about a year. Commenting on the government's decision to allow Year One enrolment at the age of six starting next year, Mohamed Sulaiman sees this as a special pathway for children who show early academic readiness, while also considering emotional and social maturity.

He stressed that whi le the standard schooling age should remain a guideline, the pathway for early enrolment should be clear and regulated, involving teacher recommendations, parental consent, and JPN assessments. He also emphasized the role of JPN in ensuring a fair and balanced implementation of this process, aligning with both education policy and the individual needs of pupils.

On January 20, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that beginning next year, six-year-old children might start Year One, although it remains optional and subject to parental decision.