PETALING JAYA: The move to start school at six years old has sparked concerns among some parents who question whether children at that age are ready for the demands of formal education.
For Izzayati Husna Ahmad, 37, whose second child will turn six in 2028, she would prefer to wait until her child is seven when she enters school.
“Basically, I’m okay with the decision, but if given the choice, I would send her to school at seven.”
Mohd Zuhir, 39, said the announcement caught him off guard and he is now undecided about sending his five-year-old child to school next year.
“I haven’t discussed it with my family yet, but it’s going to be a tough world for young children. Education nowadays is quite intense and this decision could mean losing some of their happy childhood years and having to focus on studies much earlier,” said the IT programmer.
He added that starting school at six would require parents to prepare children earlier for the realities of formal education.
“If my child starts school next year, we’ll need to help him recognise the alphabet and numbers, start reading gradually, learn basic money skills and be fully potty trained.
“Even my four-year-old will need gentle preparation in these areas.”
Zuhir also said visits to bookstores showed how much more advanced the current syllabus is compared with his own schooling in the 1990s.
Ahmad Syazwan Mohd Rosli, 33, shared similar concerns, saying six is still too young for children to meet the demands of formal schooling.
“It’s a loss because at six, children are still in the play-school phase, learning only the basics,” said the real estate agent.
Yet there are some parents who welcomed the proposal, calling it a progressive move in line with changing times and economic realities.
Naim Hakimie, 37, said the policy provides parents with more flexibility, particularly those attuned to their children’s developmental readiness.
“Working parents are already sending their children to kindergarten at five. If children can enter Year One at six, that’s a good option. Otherwise, they would spend another year in kindergarten. Some children even start kindergarten as early as four. I see this as a positive development. What matters is that parents can assess their children’s individual capabilities.”
Starting next year, preschool education in Malaysia will begin at age five, while entry into Year One will be possible from age six.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move will not be mandatory immediately, allowing time for educators and parents to adjust. He added eligibility for Year One entry at age seven will remain, but parents are encouraged to enrol children ready for preschool at five.
