Kuala lumpur: With the Malaysian Education Blueprint (RPM) 2026-2035 set to chart a path to transform Malaysia's education landscape, its success depends on thorough implementation and continuous stakeholder engagement, PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nurul Izzah emphasized that the early education policy reform, which introduces voluntary registration for Year One at the age of six, must address disparities in infrastructure and teacher readiness between regions, particularly in rural and interior areas as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. She highlighted the potential for a surge in student numbers due to the voluntary transition and warned that without context-specific approaches, there is a risk of widening inequality in access and quality of early education.

Despite these challenges, Nurul Izzah noted that Malaysia's early education policy aligns with global education practices, aligning the nation with 143 countries that have long adopted similar approaches. She believes that early exposure to a structured learning environment would facilitate targeted interventions, help identify developmental needs, and prepare children for lifelong learning.

Nurul Izzah added that the policy is expected to alleviate the burden of rising childcare costs for working parents. She also stressed the importance of introducing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in primary schools to tackle the issue of 'the lost boys', a phenomenon highlighted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2023. This issue has resulted in a gender gap, with female students completing secondary education at higher rates than male students.

She asserted that early exposure to TVET in primary and secondary schools not only lays a foundation of skills but also inspires students' interest from an early age, ensuring continuity of the curriculum to the workplace in line with industry needs. Additionally, Nurul Izzah mentioned the decision to place the pre-university education system, including Form Six and matriculation, under the Ministry of Higher Education beginning in 2027. She believes this move is a step forward for long-term planning, enabling more inclusive public university placements and ensuring effective utilization of resources and talent.