KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s next five-year development plan promises a sweeping reset of the education system – from making pre-school compulsory at age five, to overhauling university governance and aligning graduate skills with future job markets.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the government has allocated RM67 billion for the education sector, signalling that education reform is a key pillar of the national development agenda from 2026 to 2030.
“The government is determined to ensure that the enrolment rate of pre-school and secondary school students reaches 98%, which is above the universal enrolment rate,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the plan in Parliament.
Early education overhaul
Pre-school will be made mandatory at age 5, followed by formal primary education at age 6, in line with international norms. English will be used as part of the medium of instruction and communication for lower primary pupils, while the teaching of additional languages will also be expanded.
A new law will be introduced to regulate early childhood education, while a single national education platform will be set up to manage donations and sponsorships from parents, alumni and the private sector.
Vertical school development – essentially multi-storey schools – will be expanded in urban areas to tackle land constraints and overcrowding. Construction of schools will also become a condition for planning approvals in large housing projects.
Boost for special needs education
Education for vulnerable groups will see a significant push. Anwar said as of June, nearly 171,000 children with disabilities, including autism, have been identified with learning difficulties.
“Therefore, initiatives will continue under the 13MP to expand special education facilities and capacity for vulnerable groups nationwide. This includes the construction of the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) blocks at 34 schools across Malaysia,” he said.
The government also plans to build more schools equipped with PPKI facilities, while expanding access for students with special needs across all levels of education.
Improving quality and outcomes
To raise the quality of education, the government will enhance assessment systems and teaching standards, including a review of school hours and evaluation of special and gifted student programmes. The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) will remain the benchmark to assess the effectiveness of education policies.
Malaysia’s education performance will also be measured against international benchmarks such as PISA and TIMSS, in a bid to bring local standards up to global averages.
STEM, digital literacy, and basic artificial intelligence (AI) will be prioritised in the school curriculum to future-proof the workforce. Mastery of the Malay language will be reinforced, while English and additional languages will continue to be emphasised.
Tertiary reform and workforce alignment
A pilot programme will be rolled out to give public universities more autonomy to improve financial sustainability and competitiveness.
To address skills mismatch and underemployment among graduates, a new framework will be introduced to track graduate outcomes. A mandatory paid internship scheme will also be launched, with a focus on participation from small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Lifelong learning and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will also be enhanced, while the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan scheme will be reviewed to make it more targeted and sustainable.
Better coordination, clearer roles
Governance of the education system will be streamlined. The Education Ministry will regulate everything from preschool to secondary education, while the Higher Education Ministry will oversee pre-university and tertiary institutions.
A National Education Council will be established to coordinate policy, monitor progress and propose interventions to ensure Malaysia builds a progressive, world-class education system.
Anwar also pledged support for broader training and skills initiatives under the Industry-based Academy programme and the National PWD Action Plan, aimed at improving labour market participation among persons with disabilities, Orang Asli and senior citizens. – July 31, 2025