Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled the 10-year National Education Plan 2026–2035 on 20th January 2026.
“Education is not simply a matter of academic achievement or technical excellence; it is a major effort to shape intelligent, civilised and humane individuals,” he said during the launch.
“The launch of the National Education Plan 2026–2035 reflects the MADANI Government’s serious efforts to make a meaningful leap in the country’s education landscape.”
“This leap must be firmly rooted in Malaysian identity, values and culture, while daring to master the new disciplines and challenges demanded by the rapidly changing times.”
Here are the announced changes:
Early Primary School Enrolment for Six Year Olds
Parents can voluntarily register their children for Year One as early as 6 years old. The implementation will begin in 2027 and will have its early registration. It is not compulsory and allowed voluntarily.
The government will provide the option for children to receive formal learning earlier in accordance with their current capabilities.
Empowering National Identity
It is made compulsory to study the Malay language and history subject according to the National Curriculum.
This policy applies to all schools, including public religious schools, international schools, and private schools (including UEC-based), and it will be implemented in the official school timetable accordingly.
Learning Assessment
The new learning measurement implementation is centrally administered by the Examination Board.
Beginning in 2026, Year 4 students will be assessed in the Malay Language, English, Mathematics and Science subjects.
In 2027, Form 3 students will be assessed in the same subjects with the addition of History.
Better Teachers’ Room
RM100 Million is allocated to upgrading and renovating teachers’ rooms nationwide.
TVET at Schools
TVET lessons will be introduced through the school curriculum for 2027.
In primary school, TVET education will begin from Year 1 to Year 6.
For secondary school, TVET content, skills and values will be expanded to students in Form 1, 2 and 3, focusing on technology and digital.
National School Reform
Selected national schools to be improved and promoted as models of excellence.
5 SK (national primary schools) and 5 SMK (national secondary schools) will be selected in each district nationwide as Inspiration Schools.
The main focus of the School Reform programme is to increase school’s administration efficiency and infrastructure improvement
*Quality of Malay, English & STEM education
Guaranteed Enrollment for Excellent Students in Tertiary Institutions
4.0 CGPA students all across STPM, Matriculation, Foundation and Diploma
*Course offerings are based on university capacity and MERIT
Free Education for Disabled Students
Student fees for People with Disabilities (OKU) omitted, involving 3,000 students across IPTA, Polytechnic and Community College
More Places, More Opportunities
Additional places at Public Universities (IPTA):
3,000 places for 2026, for excellent students and STPM graduates
The 10 courses involved are:
- Financial Accounting Law and Islamic Financial Banking
- Artificial Intelligence
- Language Economics (Malay / English / Foreign).
- Communication
- Media Studies
- Data Science / Data Analytics / Computer Science
No One Left Behind
The quota of free education/scholarship recipients through PTPTN increased from 5,800 to 10,000 individuals, for extremely poor families
Real Higher Education
Starting in 2027, Form Six and matriculation will be moved under the Ministry of Education High.
The goal is to ensure continuity of curriculum and smoother educational transition from pre-university to a bachelor’s degree.
Better Student Dormitories
The government is committed to solving the problem of student accommodation in IPTA with the collaboration of universities and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLIC).
The primary pledges are to supply an extra 5,000 accommodations and guarantee that the lodging costs are reasonable.
The Foundation of Nation Building
General Subjects (MPU) are overhauled and taught in Malay in all across public and private universities.
MPU will emphasise education on the Constitution and history of Malaysia to Malaysian students.
TVET, Enhanced
As the government is empowering polytechnics and community colleges through:
- Comprehensive implementation of digitalisation and AI
- The Polytechnic and Community College Act is being drafted.
New Initiative
Ten outstanding polytechnics are chosen for ongoing improvement.
Education Minister Datuk Fadhlina Sidek said six-year-old pupils will be required to undergo a diagnostic assessment before entering Year One for the 2027 school session.
The assessment will evaluate several criteria, including psycho-emotional development, specific skills, and overall readiness, with a special pilot test set to be conducted this year. Further details on the assessment’s method, location and schedule will be announced soon.
Fadhlina stressed that the initiative will be voluntary and not compulsory, and parents are advised to remain calm as children may continue under the existing system if they choose.
The move aligns with education reforms under Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), which aims to strengthen early childhood education and better prepare students academically, emotionally and socially from a young age.
