Bayan baru: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced its commitment to continue engagement sessions with private kindergarten and preschool operators, as well as parents, to address concerns surrounding the enrolment of Year One pupils at the age of six. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized the ministry's openness to feedback from stakeholders to clarify any issues with the policy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, private kindergarten operators have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the policy. Minister Fadhlina reassured that the ministry is prepared to hold further discussions to resolve any outstanding concerns. "If there are still parties who are unhappy, we will continue with the engagement sessions. In Malaysia, we take every issue raised during these discussions seriously. There is no problem for us to continue the engagement sessions to provide clarification," she stated at the Penang PKR Chinese New Year MADANI Open House at Wisma PKR in Bayan Baru.
The event was attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Pakatan Harapan State Leadership Council Chairman Mohamad Abdul Hamid, and other state party leaders. Fadhlina, who is also the PKR Women's chief, clarified that claims suggesting preschool operators support the 'Year One at six' policy are misleading, emphasizing that their participation in meetings does not equate to endorsement.
MCA Penang Vice Chairman of the Election Preparation and Scrutiny Committee, Chan Wooi Jin, urged the government to conduct a thorough study and engage in dialogues, rather than assuming operators' meeting attendance signifies policy support. Media reports indicated that MOE has been conducting sessions with private kindergarten operators to plan for the admission of six-year-olds into Year One starting in 2027 under the new curriculum.
Minister Fadhlina highlighted that entering Year One at age six is optional and not mandatory. She stated that parents who believe their child is ready can proceed, while others can continue with the existing system. She reassured parents, particularly those in rural areas, that government preschools will still accommodate six-year-olds without any pressure to start Year One early.