Child’s early Year 1 entry will depend on diagnostic screening, says minister

CHILDREN who want to start Year 1 at the age of six must undergo a diagnostic screening set by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in addition to attending preschool, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She explained in a post on Facebook that this screening aims to assess the level of learning readiness and adaptability of children to formal learning.

“The results of the MOE diagnostic screening and the voluntary choice of parents will determine the admission of six-year-old children to Year 1.

“The school structure for children who start Year 1 at the age of six will also not change and will remain the same for six years,” she said.

Fadhlina said that during this period, the development of students will be monitored by the school, and appropriate learning support will be provided to help students adapt.

The MOE is also prepared for the change, including increasing preschool classes nationwide.

According to reports, she said the current number of teachers, schools and facilities is sufficient to accommodate the optional enrolment of six-year-old children into Year 1.

She said the ministry had studied the requirements for the move and found that the existing workforce at selected schools was adequate to handle the enrolments.

“The move is optional, not mandatory, and will only be implemented at schools with the appropriate facilities and support to take in the additional pupils.

“Planning is also being done to provide additional classrooms and other infrastructure in a targeted manner. Additional teacher needs are also being addressed proactively,” she said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that parents can register their children as early as six years old for Year 1, starting next year, to provide early education opportunities for ready children.

Speaking at the launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035, Anwar said parents can register their children as early as five years old for preschool.

He said this early entry reflects the demands of changing times, but his administration is not yet ready to make this mandatory because some parents may feel that their children are not ready. – January 21, 2026