Kuantan: More than 120,000 children have registered for admission into the Ministry of Education's (MOE) preschool programme for next year, stated Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She highlighted that the growing number of registrations signifies the preference of MOE preschools among parents, attributed to the quality of education provided and the accessibility of free preschool education.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MOE preschools are staffed with qualified and trained teachers, supported by comprehensive infrastructure and facilities. All enrolled children benefit from the Preschool Food Assistance (BMP) programme. The ministry prioritizes admissions for five- and four-year-old children from low-income (B40) families, especially those residing in rural areas, to prepare them for formal Year One education.

Fadhlina shared these insights during her speech at the MOE Community Ramadan Jaulah programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom. The event was attended by Education Deputy Director-General Datuk Amzan Abd Malek. As of March 4, the MOE had received 121,569 applications, which include 61,430 children born in 2021, 52,189 born in 2022, and 949 born in 2023.

The application process for MOE preschool admission is available online from March 2 until May 31, 2026, for children born between January 2, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Meanwhile, the ministry is expanding its preschool classes, with 350 new classes opened this year.

Currently, there are 10,514 preschool classes across 6,469 MOE institutions, offering a total capacity of 256,894 places with a current enrolment of 217,041 pupils. Fadhlina also acknowledged the improving education performance in Pahang, particularly in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

During the event, attended by over 600 teachers, students, and parents' representatives, Fadhlina announced a financial assistance of RM200,000 for SMK Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom.