Kuala lumpur: The government will soon clarify the entry requirements to public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) for students graduating from education streams not based on the national education system. MADANI Government Spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has tasked the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) with examining this issue during a Cabinet meeting.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi, who serves as the Minister of Communications, stated that the directive was issued following public feedback requesting clearer IPTA admission pathways, especially for students from tahfiz schools and holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC). Fahmi informed that the MOE and KPT will release a joint statement next week, followed by a media briefing to provide more detailed information.

Fahmi also revealed that the Prime Minister instructed the MOE and the Ministry of Works to review infrastructure preparedness to accommodate the anticipated rise in student enrolment. This follows the decision to allow children to enter preschool at age five and Year One at age six. Preparations will include constructing new classrooms and recruiting additional teachers.

He noted that there is a demand for teachers, particularly in tahfiz schools, to prepare students for Bahasa Melayu and History subjects for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysian (SPM) examination. Teachers will be sourced through the Teacher Education Institute (IPG) if student numbers increase.

The Prime Minister recently launched the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035, led by the MOE through the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035 and the Ministry of Higher Education through the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035. This blueprint includes initiatives like preschool entry at age five and Year One entry at age six starting in 2027, based on parent and student readiness.

Additionally, the blueprint plans for new centrally administered learning assessments by the Examination Board for Year Four students in 2026 and Form Three students in 2027. To enhance national identity, students across all schools-including Sekolah Agama Rakyat, international, and private schools-will be required to study Bahasa Melayu and History according to the National Curriculum.