National Education Plan 2026–2035 Puts Preschool and Equity at the Forefront, Says Nurul Izzah | KiddyNews

The newly announced National Education Plan 2026–2035 places early childhood education at the centre of Malaysia’s long-term education strategy, alongside language proficiency and vocational training, to better prepare children for an increasingly complex global economy.

PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar said the plan recognises the importance of strong foundations in the early years, but stressed that its success depends on consistent implementation and sustained national commitment.

Strong Focus on Early Learning and Preschool Access

Nurul Izzah highlighted that the plan prioritises early learning as a critical stage in a child’s development, particularly through quality preschool education that supports cognitive, emotional and social growth.

She said voluntary enrolment into Year One at age six, as introduced under the plan, aligns Malaysia with 143 other countries and allows children earlier exposure to structured learning environments.

According to her, this approach enables earlier identification of developmental needs and timely intervention, which are key outcomes of effective preschool and early childhood education.

Preschool Attendance Linked to Better Reading Outcomes

Citing research and international data, Nurul Izzah noted that starting formal schooling later does not negatively affect reading ability, which depends more on teaching quality and education equity.

Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that children who attended at least one year of preschool demonstrated stronger reading skills than those who did not, reinforcing the importance of accessible and high-quality preschool education.

Call for Smooth Transitions for Families and Children

While supporting early learning initiatives, Nurul Izzah cautioned that the Ministry must ensure smooth logistics and scheduling to avoid placing additional strain on families adjusting to new enrolment pathways.

She stressed that transitions in teaching approaches should be supportive and developmentally appropriate, so that children are not overwhelmed by sudden academic demands.

Learning, she said, should nurture curiosity and resilience rather than focus on rote memorisation or passive recall.

Education Rooted in Values and Shared Responsibility

Nurul Izzah emphasised that education must be guided by strong values, including ethics, integrity, empathy and social responsibility, ensuring that academic progress goes hand in hand with character development from the earliest years.

She also described education as a shared responsibility involving preschools, schools, homes and the wider community, calling for user-friendly policies that allow teachers to focus on teaching and enable parents to support their children without navigating excessive bureaucracy.

Long-Term Planning Across the Education System

The National Education Plan also places the entire pre-university education system – including Form 6 and matriculation programmes – under the Ministry of Higher Education beginning in 2027.

Nurul Izzah said the move is intended to strengthen long-term planning for public university placements and improve resource optimisation, following concerns over limited access to popular courses, particularly for high-achieving minority students.

A Community Effort to Support Every Child

Concluding her remarks, Nurul Izzah underscored the need for sustained involvement from educators, parents, parent-teacher associations, educational institutions, civil society groups and policymakers.

She reiterated that strong preschool foundations and equitable access to education benefit not only individual children, but the wider community as well.

Source:

The Sun  – “Education plan prioritises early learning, equity – Nurul Izzah”

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