13/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 13, 2026

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Education Ministry carefully reviewing UPSR, PT3 revival

PM, wife visit schools to oversee initiative KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, yesterday visited several schools to oversee the distribution of the Bantuan Awal Persekolahan aid, a government initiative designed to ease the financial burden on parents as the new school year begins. Anwar and Wan Azizah, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak MP, visited SK Sg Besi, SJK(C) Kwong Hon and SJK(T) Sg Besi, engaging directly with pupils, many of whom were stepping into school for the first time. In a Facebook statement, he said the children’s excitement reflected not only the hopes of parents but also the confidence of teachers and aspirations for the nation’s future. “Schools are not just places to gain knowledge, but also spaces for shaping character, discipline and identity.” He added that education remains a national priority and called for collaboration among the government, parents and educators. “A strong partnership among all parties ensures that children receive comprehensive support. With quality education rooted in values and humanity, we are confident of nurturing a generation that is knowledgeable, virtuous and ready to face challenges with courage and confidence.” Earlier on Facebook, Anwar welcomed students nationwide, with special greetings for Year 1 pupils starting their educational journey. He reminded parents to guide their children’s learning through prayers and positive examples. The academic calendar for national and government-aided schools resumed this month after previous adjustments due to Covid-19. Yesterday marked the start of the term for Group B schools in Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya. Meanwhile, Group A schools in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which began classes a day earlier for nearly one million students, reported a smooth start. – By Harith Kamal PUTRAJAYA: Parents are encouraged to be present at schools during the distribution of the Bantuan Awal Persekolahan aid, which is taking place throughout this week. Education Ministry deputy secretary-general (Management) Datuk Ahmad Suhaimi Endut said parental involvement is important to ensure they understand the distribution process and could verify that their children receive the correct amount of assistance. “As much as possible, we want to involve all parents so that they are aware of what is happening in schools and that their children’s needs are properly taken into account. We do not want this assistance to reach students only for it to be spent on other purposes.” He was speaking to the media after inspecting the first day of the 2026 school session at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 18(1) yesterday. Ahmad Suhaimi said there had been cases in previous years in which students informed their parents that they had received a lower amount of assistance than what was actually distributed. “Each student is supposed to receive RM150, but some told their parents they only received RM100. We do not want such incidents to recur.” The aid, which is distributed in a lump sum to 5.2 million students nationwide, is a government initiative aimed at easing the burden on parents and guardians in budgeting school expenses. Commenting on the first day of the school session, he said students were seen attending school enthusiastically. He added that teachers also play a crucial role in ensuring students attend school motivated and eager to learn. – Bernama Parents urged to verify student aid

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Study must assess effectiveness of exams in supporting holistic student development, says Fadhlina

PUTRAJAYA: Perpaduan childcare centres and kindergartens remain a priority under the Madani government, with an allocation of RM55.5 million provided for the 2026 school session. This was announced by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang yesterday when officiating at the “Santuni Murid Tabika Perpaduan – Kembali ke Tabika Perpaduan” event at Tabika Perpaduan Seroja in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang. He said in a statement yesterday the allocation aims to provide support and assistance to students while fostering interest and motivation in learning, and easing the financial burden on parents in meeting their children’s educational needs. He added that the allocation includes RM24.39 million for supplementary food assistance; RM3.5 million for the per capita SHAH ALAM: The Education Ministry is taking a careful approach to studying the possible revival of the UPSR and PT3 examinations, saying the review is expected to be completed this year. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry is consulting widely, including with the National Education Advisory Council before submitting its recommendations to the Cabinet. “Give us time. We are studying and reviewing the mandate, and at the ministry level we already have some perspectives. “If God wills, we will present the results to the Cabinet once the study is complete,” she told reporters after visiting SJK(C) Ladang Regent Elmina yesterday, marking the first day of the 2026 academic calendar. Education Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh was also present. Fadhlina said the study must carefully assess the long-standing examinations to evaluate their effectiveness in supporting students’ holistic development. “What we want to do is review parents’ feedback and assess what has been implemented so far. Once the study is complete, we will share the findings with the public.” The National Education Advisory Council was reactivated by the ministry last week to consider reinstating the examinations in respond to requests from parents. UPSR was abolished in 2021 and PT3 in 2022 under former education minister Datuk Radzi Jidin, and replaced by school-based assessments designed to provide a more holistic evaluation of students. Fadhlina also provided an update on school enrolments, saying more than 842,000 pupils are entering Year One and Form One nationwide, with the figure expected to rise. During her visit to the school, the minister observed registration processes and highlighted the ministry’s Ziarah Cakna initiative, which tracks students who are registered but do not attend school to ensure they join classes promptly. “This is an ongoing effort. We always ensure there is no dropout based on our records.

Fadhlina (first row, left) and Wong (second row, left) pose for a photograph with pupils at SJK(C) Ladang Regent Elmina in Shah Alam. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

centres and kindergartens are among government-owned early childhood education centres that provide free services without any fees. “Tabika Perpaduan will also implement the new preschool curriculum starting this year, which emphasises the inculcation of unity, respect and love from an early age, in line with the ministry’s focus on nation-building and the development of a young generation with a strong patriotic spirit, while empowering students as agents of social change.” He said special modules such as the Rukun Negara module, as well as third-language programmes including Tamil, Mandarin, Iban and Kadazan implemented by the National Unity and National Integration Department would be aligned with the implementation of the 2026 preschool curriculum. – Bernama shared responsibility in protecting children.” She also said the initiatives reflect the ministry’s commitment to holistic education and child welfare, adding that well-received schools such as SJK(C) Ladang Regent could serve as models for inclusive and safe education across Selangor. In another update, she confirmed that three of the four schools in Telok Panglima Garang, Kuala Langat that were damaged by a severe storm in October last year have resumed classes, while the fourth is expected to reopen next month. The ministry allocated RM10.1 million for repairs. The storm, one of the worst in Selangor in the past four years, also damaged a community hall and about 40 houses.

grant; RM20 million for the upgrading and renovation of facilities to ensure a conducive learning environment; RM2.29 million for starter kits comprising uniforms, backpacks, blankets and towels; RM1.93 million for teaching, learning and safety equipment and RM359,640 for insurance coverage. Aaron also said the allocation covers initiatives to enhance the professionalism and capacity building of nursery teachers and educators, in line with efforts to improve the quality of early childhood education services under the Perpaduan programme. He said participation on the first day of the 2026 session involved 33,307 children aged four to six enrolled in 1,781 Tabika Perpaduan nationwide, as well as 998 children aged two to four registered at 41 Taska Perpaduan centres. He added that the Perpaduan childcare “It is the responsibility of administrators, parents and the community to address this issue.” On child safety, she said the ministry will not compromise. “I have already emphasised in my New Year’s address, that we will not compromise on this matter. Responsibility must be shared to ensure schools are well managed and our children continue to be protected. “That is why this year, all parties will sign the Child Protection Policy in schools, a policy involving all stakeholders pledging to care for and safeguard our children. “This, along with the Safe School Manual, is in the final stages before being shared with parents and the community to clarify our

RM55.5 million allocated for Perpaduan childcare centres, kindergartens