All schools, including international, religious and UEC-stream institutions, must offer Bahasa Melayu and History as compulsory SPM subjects, says PM Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: All schools nationwide will be required to offer Bahasa Melayu and History as compulsory subjects for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this new requirement applies to international schools, religious schools and all Chinese or Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)-stream schools.
“The situation has changed. The vast majority of UEC and international school students already sit for the SPM examination,” he said at the launch of the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035.
He stated the policy will align all education systems under a single national framework.
This approach aims to end long-standing confusion and debate over equal access to higher education pathways.
“With this approach, their pathway to higher education should no longer be controversial,” Anwar added.
The policy also applies to community-based religious schools and tahfiz institutions, which enrol over 400,000 students.
“They may retain their religious curriculum; we will not interfere with that. But as a condition for receiving government assistance, they must also offer Bahasa Melayu and History,” he said.
Anwar cited remarks by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, affirming the government’s commitment to upholding Bahasa Melayu.
He stressed that mastery of the national language must go beyond basic proficiency and be strengthened through curricula.
Concurrently, Anwar emphasised that English proficiency must be raised to a higher standard.
“English must be given greater priority as a second language. Teaching standards and quality must improve,” he said.
He highlighted English as critical in digital transformation, energy transition, and artificial intelligence.
Anwar also directed the Education Ministry to ensure sufficient teachers for major languages.
This includes Bahasa Melayu, English and elective languages like Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic in national schools.
“We hope this policy will finally resolve the endless language controversy. I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, when language disputes were intense. With this 2026 policy, God willing, we will put an end to it,” he said.
