The Education Ministry plans to establish 300 additional preschool classes by 2027 as part of efforts to expand access to quality early childhood education nationwide.
PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry plans to establish 300 additional preschool classes by 2027 as part of efforts to expand access to quality early childhood education nationwide.
In a written parliamentary reply, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the move would bring the total number of new preschool classes introduced between 2023 and 2027 to 1,040.
She said the expansion reflected the government’s commitment to providing wider and more equitable access to free early education, while helping prepare children for entry into Year One at the age of six.
“Preschool education efforts were also supported by the Community Development Department (Kemas), which operates 10,536 kindergartens serving 204,412 children, and the National Unity and Integration Department, which manages 1,781 Tabika Perpaduan centres catering to 34,008 children.
“As of May 31, the three agencies collectively operated 22,808 preschool classrooms nationwide, providing early education opportunities for 455,446 children aged between four and six,” she said, adding that the ministry itself operated 10,491 preschool classes nationwide, benefiting 217,026 pupils.
Fadhlina said the combined efforts reflected a comprehensive government approach involving multiple ministries and agencies to ensure children across the country have fair access to early education.
She was responding to Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, who sought updates on the number of preschool pupils and classrooms managed by the Education Ministry, Kemas and Tabika Perpaduan, as well as plans to consolidate preschool management under a single ministry.
“New preschool classes would be created through construction projects under the Five-Year Malaysia Plan and by expanding existing facilities in schools.
“The selection of locations would take into account factors such as the number of eligible children, community demand, existing facilities, accessibility to nearby early education centres, infrastructure suitability and projected enrolment trends,” she said.
Fadhlina added that a special committee comprising representatives from the Education Ministry, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, National Unity Ministry and other stakeholders had been formed to study the proposed restructuring of preschool education under one ministry.
“The committee would examine policy and legal considerations, staffing, financial implications, assets, infrastructure, curriculum and operational matters before making a final decision,” she added.
She said the review was in line with the Malaysia Education Plan 2026-2035 and the 13th Malaysia Plan, which prioritise education access, equity and quality.
“Among the ministry’s current focuses is the implementation of the Preschool Curriculum 2026 to address learning gaps and provide children with a strong foundation before entering primary school,” she said.
