21/01/2026

WEDNESDAY | JAN 21, 2026

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Matriculation, Form 6 to be under Higher Education Ministry PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s higher education landscape entered a new era yesterday with the official launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035, a move hailed by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir as a“major transformation” for the sector. Speaking to reporters after the launch, Zambry said Form Six and matriculation programmes would be transferred from the Education Ministry and fully integrated into the higher education system under the Higher Education Ministry. “To implement this change, amendments to existing laws are required,” he said, adding that the ministry’s legal division has been tasked with reviewing relevant legislation. The blueprint introduces a more flexible and adaptive higher education system, designed to better align learning pathways with industry and workforce needs. It also strengthens Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the university level, ensuring graduates of TVET programmes receive recognition equal to that of university graduates, addressing the long-standing perception of technical education as a second-tier pathway. On financial support, he reiterated the prime minister’s announcement that students from hardcore poor families listed under the national poverty database, e-Kasih, would receive full education support through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation. “The number of beneficiaries will increase from 5,800 to 10,000 students and will apply to all races.” Polytechnics will also be upgraded, with the government approving degree-level programmes, particularly in fields such as AI, engineering and renewable energy. Over the next decade, 10 polytechnics will offer degree programmes, positioning them as first-choice options rather than alternatives. General Studies will be refocused on Malaysian nationhood, with Malaysian students studying in Bahasa Malaysia. International students at private institutions may opt for English or another suitable language. Zambry said student accommodation remains a priority, adding that the government is exploring partnerships between universities and government-linked investment companies to expand housing options. The blueprint also seeks to improve access for persons with disabilities (PwD). “PwD admitted to public universities, polytechnics and community colleges will be exempted from tuition fees, with costs absorbed by the respective institutions.” To meet workforce demands, additional places have been created in courses such as law, accounting, finance, banking, Islamic finance, artificial intelligence, economics, languages and communication. He added that funding increases previously limited to research universities will now be extended to all public universities. Professional courses such as medicine and pharmacy will remain regulated by professional bodies to ensure quality and standards. – By Kirtinee Ramesh and Harith Kamal

ROYAL APPROVAL ... His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, accepts the Letter of Credence of Hungarian Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Sandor Sipos at Istana Negara yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC New standardised examination at Year 4

well as History. “This requirement also applies to religious schools and Maahad Tahfiz institutions, which involve more than 400,000 students, as well as the smaller controversy surrounding the UEC, even though circumstances have changed.” He also said at the tertiary level, the Higher Education Ministry would roll out reforms to expand access and strengthen digital literacy. Polytechnics and community colleges will undergo reforms, including wider adoption of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), with 10 polytechnics set to be upgraded. Anwar also said to strengthen inclusive education, all students with disabilities enrolled in public higher education institutions, polytechnics and community colleges will receive full fee exemptions, benefiting an estimated 3,000 students. He said the measures are part of broader efforts to develop talent, cultivate a strong reading culture and build a knowledgeable, competitive nation for the next 10 years. Emphasising the need for accountability, he said effective implementation would require commitment at all levels, including ministers, senior officials and education leaders. “This is a major plan for our country. It is a good and sound blueprint for our children. “It shows how serious we are about driving change and carrying out reforms in the education sector, to ensure that within the next few years, the quality of our education improves and our children’s future becomes brighter.”

preschool education and Year One readiness are being accelerated. He added that children are set to begin preschool at the age of five and enrol in Year One at the age of six starting next year, although participation will not yet be made compulsory. “Children will still be allowed to enter Year One at the age of seven. “However, we strongly encourage parents who are ready to enrol their children in preschool from the age of five (to do so). “For preschool education, we are strengthening the entire system, which the Education Ministry has been instructed to take over and standardise.” In a separate announcement, Anwar emphasised the importance of language mastery, reaffirming Bahasa Malaysia as the national language while emphasising English proficiency for global competitiveness. All schools across different education streams, including international schools, religious schools and institutions offering the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), will be required to sit for Bahasa Malaysia and History in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). He said the move would help resolve long-standing controversies surrounding the national language and put an end to disputes over public university entry requirements. “I have clarified the language requirements and insisted that all education systems must adopt and make Bahasa Malaysia compulsory according to the ministry’s curriculum, including up to the SPM level. “Without exception, Malaysian students in international schools are required to sit for the Bahasa Malaysia SPM examination as

PUTRAJAYA: The government will introduce a Year 4 examination in primary schools this year as part of a major overhaul of the national education system. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the examination, introduced under the learning matrix system, marks a shift towards holistic learning. The system will also be extended to Form 3 students beginning next year. “Starting this year, we will reinstate the learning matrix system, with the assessment in Year 4 conducted by the Examinations Board. “Why wait until Year 6? This move allows pupils to be assessed earlier and gives them two years – in Years 5 and 6 – to improve before entering Form 1,” he said at the launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday. The Year 4 learning assessment will cover four core subjects: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathematics and Science. Meanwhile, the Form 3 learning assessment will cover five core subjects: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathematics, Science and History. Anwar also said efforts to strengthen Ű BY HARITH KAMAL AND KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Assessment marks shift towards holistic learning, says Anwar

UPSR, PT3 will not be reinstated: Fadhlina PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will not reinstate the UPSR and PT3 examinations, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed yesterday, as the country rolls out the new learning matrix assessment for Year 4 and Form 3 students. 2035, we need to move forward.” The learning matrix assessment is not a high-stakes exam but a holistic tool for teachers and parents to identify students’ strengths and areas for improvement early. She also said from 2027, children may enter Year One at a younger age, although it would remain optional and depend on the child’s readiness. Parents will assess preparedness, supported by diagnostic testing conducted by the ministry and additional teachers would be appointed as needed.

olds will continue as usual, while the inclusion of six-year-olds will depend on school readiness and assessment results.” She urged parents to work with the ministry in evaluating readiness. “Teachers will be allocated according to pupils’ needs and all necessary preparations will be made to ensure a smooth transition into primary school.” – By Harith Kamal and Kirtinee Ramesh

not or psychologically, we do not want this to have any negative impact on them.” Addressing concerns over school capacity, Fadhlina said the rollout would be phased, prioritising children who are ready. “Parents’ concerns will naturally be about infrastructure. When a larger cohort enters Year One, it will become a key issue. “The existing cohort of seven-year prepared emotionally

“Parents and teachers need not panic. It is broader than an exam system and interventions could be implemented from Year 4, reinforced in Years 5 and 6 before secondary school.”

“The national exams are no longer suited to our current educational needs and context. “We cannot go back. Looking at the Malaysia Education Plan 2026–

“We encourage only parents who are ready, but most importantly, the child must be ready too. If the child is