21/01/2026

WEDNESDAY | JAN 21, 2026

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Year 4 exam welcomed, but syllabus ‘too tough’

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is set to overhaul primary education with the centralised Year Four assessment and a new starting age of six for primary school – reforms hailed by educationists as crucial for identifying learning gaps early and giving children a stronger foundation. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Development and Inclusive Advancement of Malaysia deputy director Dr Anuar Ahmad told theSun that the newly termed “learning matrix” is a positive initiative as earlier assessment allows for prompt interventions once test results are analysed. “I have long advocated for assessments at the primary school level. Ideally, these should take place in Year Four or Year Five, rather than Year Six as was the case with UPSR. “We do not want to wait until Year Six only to realise it is too late. If children struggle with reading, writing or numeracy, there would be insufficient time to implement meaningful support.” Anuar praised the decision to start preschool at age five and primary school at six, noting that most developed nations have long adopted this approach. “Introducing children to school earlier benefits their socialisation, emotional development and adjustment under teacher supervision. “However, challenges are expected next year, as Year One will include both six and seven-year-olds, likely leading to higher enrolment numbers.” He added that with next year’s primary school intake projected to exceed 500,000 students, the Education Ministry must ensure sufficient teachers, extra classrooms and adequate infrastructure. National Association of Private Educational Institutions deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin said the Year Four examination could restore clearer expectations and learning discipline in classrooms. “It can help teachers and parents identify gaps early. But it must be handled properly. The key is balancing assessment with meaningful learning. “If implemented well, it could improve literacy and numeracy outcomes because schools will refocus on foundational skills. Yet assessment alone cannot address weaknesses – it must be accompanied by teacher support, targeted interventions and realistic curriculum pacing.” Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the reforms are a positive move, with parents welcoming its focus on quality, inclusivity and preparing students for the future. “They provide clearer view of education from early schooling to higher education, recognised the importance of technology and AI, and emphasised equity and nation building. “However, concerns remain over execution, teacher readiness and school capacity. Inclusivity risks being symbolic unless accompanied by targeted measures for vulnerable communities. Parents will be watching for clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and tangible improvements in classroom teaching and assessment.” Malaysian Association for Education president Dr Mohd Majid Konting applauded the move, emphasising that assessment is integral to teaching and learning, while UiTM Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies associate professor Dr Azizan Zainuddin urged for a more comprehensive study, noting that children’s development varies individually. Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com Reforms praised but execution crucial: Educationists

PETALING JAYA: Parents have welcomed the introduction of a national assessment for primary school pupils in Year Four beginning this year. For 41-year-old civil servant who wished to be known as Wani, the return of a centralised examination is a positive step. However, she stressed that parents’ real concern lies not with the examination, but with the current school syllabus, which she described as challenging. “From what I’ve read, this assessment will only involve core subjects. I think that is good. But there is a big hope that the syllabus will also be reviewed. The Year Four Mathematics syllabus, for example, feels like what students study in Form Three,” she said. Meanwhile, Mohamad Sufian Bustamin, 36, said the move would give parents a clearer picture of their children’s actual academic performance. o Parents say centralised examination useful benchmark; raise concerns over difficulty of current coursework Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com 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 PETALING JAYA: Lowering the starting age for preschool and Year One could improve early education but the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) warns it risks overburdening schools and teachers if not carefully phased. NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon said while the move is positively received, attention must focus on teacher supply, student welfare and overall system quality.

Students queueing to enter an examination hall. Parents say the return of a centralised examination for primary schoolchildren is a positive step. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THE SUN

Ibrahim the centralised examination will be introduced in Year Four starting this year and will be administered by the Malaysian Examinations Board. Anwar said the subjects involved are Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics and Science. History will be added in 2027, bringing the total number of assessed subjects to five. “Teachers should remember that there will be a Year Four assessment this year. Why wait until Year Six? We are implementing this evaluation so announced that 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 also the government’s approach in resolving debates over the Bahasa Malaysia and History subjects, saying it could strengthen national unity and clarify education policy direction. On the introduction of the Year Four examination, Fouzi described it as a wise move that allows early remediation and strengthens foundational skills in STEM, Bahasa Malaysia, English, Science, commended fairness. He

“If you ask me, it’s good to have this kind of test because we want to know where our children really stand. Right now, teachers’ assessments are based more on observation rather than being results-oriented,” said the human resources officer. He also agreed with Wani’s view that today’s school syllabus is particularly demanding. “Sometimes, even parents can’t answer the questions in the current exercise books.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar 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 “Training graduates from the teachers’ training institutes can take up to five years. Careful human resource planning should be implemented in stages, if not it could worsen the current teacher shortage.” Fouzi nevertheless, expressed gratitude to the prime minister for allocating RM100 million to upgrade staff rooms in five primary and five secondary schools, urging that selection of schools follow clear criteria to ensure

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. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee that we can identify weaknesses early. “With two more years, Year Five and Year Six pupils will have sufficient time to improve before entering Form One,” he said at the launch of the National Education Plan 2026–2035 in Putrajaya yesterday. Previously, the UPSR was abolished in 2021 and replaced with the yearly school-based assessment system, which places greater emphasis on continuous evaluation throughout the learning process rather than centralised examinations. Mathematics and History before students reach secondary school. “Emphasis on Years Five and Six is crucial. These stages should build literacy, numeracy, self-confidence, discipline and critical thinking to prevent learning gaps from persisting into secondary school,”he said, adding that a review of the English curriculum and teaching methods would boost student confidence and mastery in vocabulary. – By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

‘Caught off guard’: Mixed reactions to entry at six

Early education shift needs careful phasing: NUTP