Malaysia to Introduce Autism-Focused Preschools Nationwide by 2026 | KiddyNews

In a landmark step toward inclusive education, Malaysia will begin setting up special Kemas preschools for children with autism in every state starting 2026, with plans to expand the initiative to every district by 2027, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced this week.

The move, which is pending approval under Budget 2026, aims to make early education more accessible and affordable for families of children with autism — a group that has long faced limited options and high fees for specialised learning support.

“Most parents with autistic children have no choice but to enrol them in private preschools that charge very high fees. Through this initiative, Kemas will ensure these children receive proper early education without burdening their families,” Zahid said.

A Nationwide Inclusion Plan

Under the plan, the Community Development Department (Kemas) — under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) — will establish at least one autism-focused preschool in each state by 2026.

If funds are sufficient, the government will then expand the model to every district by 2027, marking the first time Malaysia will have a nationwide network of public preschools dedicated to children with autism.

Zahid said the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), which will design a special education curriculum and training modules for Kemas teachers to ensure they are equipped with the skills to support children on the autism spectrum.

He added that the streamlining process has already been carried out with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development for the Community-Based Rehabilitation (PDK) programme to avoid any overlapping of roles and ensure a cohesive national effort.

Bridging the Accessibility Gap

Currently, most children with autism in Malaysia attend either private special-needs centres or mainstream preschools with limited support, creating accessibility and affordability challenges for many parents.

The new Kemas Autism Tabika centres will feature smaller class sizes, trained special-education teachers, and facilities tailored to the sensory and developmental needs of children with autism.

With this new initiative, the government hopes to bridge the gap between mainstream and special education, ensuring that every child — regardless of neurodiversity — can access quality preschool education near home.

A Step Forward for Inclusion

If successfully implemented, Malaysia will join countries like Singapore and South Korea, which have established nationwide frameworks for early intervention and inclusive preschool education.

The initiative also aligns with the government’s broader goal of creating a more inclusive education system under the Malaysia MADANI vision — one that recognises and supports children of all abilities.

Education advocates have praised the proposal as a milestone that could normalise inclusion, improve early intervention, and ease the transition for children with autism into formal schooling.

Hope for Families

For parents of autistic children, the plan represents more than just a policy, it is a long-awaited promise of hope, accessibility, and equality.

If the budget is passed and implementation begins as planned, Malaysia could soon see a new era of early childhood education, one where inclusion is no longer an exception, but the standard for every child.

About KEMAS

Currently, KEMAS operates over 10,900 Tabika centres nationwide, providing early childhood education primarily for rural communities. Under Budget 2026, the government has allocated RM281 million for KEMAS’ Education Programme, including RM8.4 million for the “Tabika SmartClassroom@KEMAS” initiative to upgrade ICT facilities and internet access across 14 states.

An additional RM70 million will be used to equip 10,800 preschool, nursery, and Tabika classes with smart televisions to enhance digital learning, alongside plans to build six new Tabika KEMAS centres and allocate RM20 million for the maintenance and upgrading of Taska Perpaduan centres nationwide.

To further promote inclusivity, “Kelas Tunas Istimewa” will also be introduced in every state to support children with mild autism. Overall, KKDW has been allocated RM12.4 billion under Budget 2026 to boost rural and regional development including improvements to early childhood education infrastructure and access.

Source:

Malay Mail — “Every state to get special Kemas pre-school for autistic children from 2026, says DPM Zahid”

Scoop — “Autism-focused pre-schools to be introduced nationwide if Budget 2026 approves: Zahid”

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