Govt Drops Proposed Year One Diagnostic Test to Protect Children’s Well-being | KiddyNews

The government has decided to abolish the proposed diagnostic test for children entering Year One, following concerns that such assessments could label young learners prematurely and affect their emotional well-being, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

The decision was announced in the Dewan Rakyat after the Education Ministry reviewed feedback on the potential impact of the test on children and families.

Concerns Over Labelling and Psychological Impact

Anwar said the diagnostic test was initially intended as a simple tool to assess whether a child was ready for Year One or might benefit from additional preparation time.

However, further evaluation raised concerns that the test could result in discriminatory perceptions, where children deemed “unready” might be redirected to preschool in a way that could negatively affect their self-esteem and emotional development.

Following the ministry’s recommendation, Anwar agreed that removing the assessment would help prevent early labelling and unnecessary pressure on young children.

Preschool Remains a Key Preparatory Stage

While the formal diagnostic test will be scrapped, Anwar stressed that preschool continues to play a crucial role in preparing children for primary school.

He said preschool provides a full year for teachers and parents to observe a child’s development naturally, allowing readiness to be assessed through daily interaction rather than formal testing.

This approach, he added, offers flexibility and supports children’s growth without placing them under exam-like conditions at an early age.

Shared Responsibility Between Parents and Educators

Anwar emphasised that monitoring a child’s readiness for Year One remains a shared responsibility between parents and teachers, even without a structured assessment.

He said open communication and ongoing observation are key to ensuring children transition into primary school at a pace that supports their learning and emotional needs.

Targeted Assessments to Continue at Later Stages

At the same time, Anwar said limited assessments will still be conducted at Year Four to help schools identify learning gaps early.

These assessments, he explained, provide sufficient time for intervention before students progress to secondary education, ensuring support is given where needed without overwhelming younger children.

Education Reform Requires Time and Trust

Acknowledging that education reforms often generate debate, Anwar said criticism arises regardless of when or how assessments are conducted.

He stressed that education policies must remain flexible and subject to ongoing evaluation, urging parents and the wider community to allow space for the proposed approach to be implemented and refined.

“At this early stage, this is the proposal, and we hope parents and society will give us the opportunity to implement it in the best way possible,” he said.

Source:

The Sun  – “Govt to abolish Year One diagnostic test, says Anwar”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.