KUCHING: The Malaysian Parents-Teachers Consensus Council (MAPIM) Sarawak has welcomed the government’s decision to start preschool at age five and formal schooling at age six, describing the move as a positive step for children’s early learning.
Its president, Datuk Rozalix Edi Wahab, said parents today are already sending their children to preschool at age five, and sometimes even earlier.
“For those aiming for schools with entrance assessments, children as young as four to six are already attending preschool. This policy essentially brings forward the intake by a year, but it is not entirely new,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted today.
Rozalix added that starting Year One at age six poses few problems as children are generally well prepared, noting that modern parents are more proactive and capable of supporting early education.
“For parents, this represents a paradigm shift, but it is already common for some families. Overall, we need to accept the government’s policy change and take the initiative in early learning,” he said.
He also highlighted the benefits of early exposure to literacy and numeracy.
“Starting learning earlier allows children to recognise letters, understand basic calculations, and mature faster. While it may seem drastic to some, the long-term benefits for our children’s development are clear,” he added.
From a broader perspective, he noted that the reform aligns Malaysia with regional education standards.
“We need to keep pace with other ASEAN countries in terms of early learning. Parents should not see this as a burden, but rather support the change to benefit our children,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the launch of the National Education Development Plan (RPN) 2026-2035, said children in Malaysia will begin preschool at the age of five and enter Year One at six starting in 2027.
However, Anwar stressed that the move will not be compulsory in its initial year, adding that parents will be given a choice if they feel their child is not ready.
