PLANNING STARTED IN 2024 - RPN 2026-2035 continues education reforms

Aug 13, 2026

Upload by Aurora

The National Education Plan (RPN) 2026-2035 is presented as a continuation of Malaysia’s long-term education reforms rather than a break from prior policy. The Education Ministry says work on the 10-year roadmap began in early 2024 to avoid a policy gap after the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 ended. Early entry into Year 1 for under-age children remains optional and is subject to diagnostic assessments of cognitive development, physical readiness and emotional maturity, with screening tools developed through consultations. RPN also details reforms from preschool to higher education, emphasizing quality, access, equity, flexibility and system sustainability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

PLANNING STARTED IN 2024

RPN 2026-2035 as Continuation of Reforms

Early Entry Policy and Diagnostic Assessments

Consultations and Assessment Framework

Implications for Private and International Schools

National Curriculum Monitoring and Implementation

TARIKH:23JANUARI 2026 (JUMAAT) BERITA HARIAN UTUSAN M'SIA N.STRAITS TIMETHE STAR□SINAR HARIAN # PLANNING STARTED IN 2024 RPN 2026-2035 continueseducation reforms ^S723/1/a₆Pg.6 KUALA LUMPUR:The NationalEducation Plan(RPN)2026-2035is not a departure from past pol-icy but a continuation ofMalaysia's long-term educationreforms following the conclusionof the Malaysia EducationBlueprint 2013-2025,said the Ed-ucation Ministry yesterday. was not new and had been inplace since 1998. He saidit was enforced throughthe Circular on the Relaxation ofEntry Requirements for Under-age Children into Year I datedMay 7,1998. Previously,admission at age 6was limited to children born be-tween Jan 2 and Jan 15 of therelevant school year. Its director-general,Dr MohdAzam Ahmad,said work on thenew 10-year roadmap began inearly 2024 to avoid a policy vac-uum once the earlier blueprintexpired. Under the RPN,Azam said theministry was bringing forwardplans initially targeted for 2031under the 13th Malaysia Plan,butemphasised that early entrywould remain optional andsubject to diagnostic assess-ments. Azam said the ministry anal-ysed data from the previous planand international benchmarks,including reports by the Organ-isation for Economic Coopera-tion and Development and theWorld Bank,as well as student-assessment data from the Pro-gramme for International Stu-dent Assessment and the Trendsin International Mathematicsand Science Study. The assessments,which arestill being refined,will evaluate achild's cognitive development,physical readiness and.emotion-al maturity. Child psychologists and educa-tion specialists are being consult-ed in developing the screeningtools. He said consultations withteachers,education experts,community leaders and stake-holders were also held as part ofthe drafting process. "This is not a race.If a child isnot ready,they can remain inpreschool.There is no loss,"saidAzam. On concerns involving privateand international schools,Azamsaid Malaysians in non-publicsystems must study BahasaMelayu and History in accor-dance with the national curricu-lum,but were not required to sitthe two subjects at the Sijil Pela-jaran Malaysia(SPM)level. Azam was speaking to the NewStraits Times after attending arecording session of TV3's talkshow,Soal Rakyat,here yester-day. Launched this week by PrimeMinister Datuk Seri AnwarIbrahim,the RPN outlines re-forms from preschool to highereducation over the next decadewith priorities on quality,access,equity,flexibility,well-being andsystem sustainability. “Whether they take (the twosubjects in)SPM or not is theirchoice.It is not compulsory.” He said schools with Malaysianstudents would have to imple-ment the national curriculummodules forthese subjects underministry monitoring. "We will evaluate(theblueprint)what needs to be im-proved every three or five yearsand make changes based onthose assessments,"said Azam. The move was intended to en-sure nationallanguage proficien-cy and historical understandinghe added. He addressed public concernsover allowing6-year-olds toenterYear 1,stressing that the policy

FAQs

Why does RPN 2026-2035 emphasize continuity rather than a new direction?

The ministry states RPN 2026-2035 continues Malaysia’s existing long-term education reforms after the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 concluded.

When did work on the 10-year roadmap for RPN begin, and why?

Work began in early 2024 to prevent a policy vacuum once the earlier blueprint expired.

How is early entry into Year 1 handled under the RPN policy?

Early entry remains optional and depends on diagnostic assessments evaluating cognitive development, physical readiness and emotional maturity.

Aug 13, 2026

Upload by Aurora