Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasises quality education as the cornerstone for national progress, urging nationwide mobilisation for new early enrolment policy.
SEMENYIH: Improving education quality is the key to elevating Malaysia’s status and competitiveness, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He stated that national progress is impossible without a strong foundation in language, mathematics, science, and adaptability to new technologies like artificial intelligence.
“The quality of education — that is our greatest challenge,” Anwar said at a public infrastructure launch here today.
He stressed that proficiency in Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil, alongside strong STEM skills, must be national goals.
In line with this, the government will implement voluntary admission to Year One for six-year-olds starting next year.
Anwar said this move prevents children from falling behind, noting over 100 countries already start formal schooling at age six.
He urged all community leaders to advise parents to seize this opportunity under the new policy.
“Let none of our children be left behind,” he said, expressing a personal desire for the policy to be mandatory.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the challenge of providing an additional RM800 million to RM1 billion allocation needed for the policy.
This funding is required for new teachers, salaries, additional classrooms, and improved facilities.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, called the expenditure a crucial investment.
“We will find a way, because we want our children to enjoy the benefits of good education,” he said, asking for parental cooperation.
The voluntary enrolment policy for six-year-olds was announced during the launch of the National Education Blueprint 2026-2035 on Jan 20.
