New History curriculum to be introduced in stages from next year, Education Ministry confirms

A NEW History curriculum will be introduced in Malaysian schools beginning next year, initially affecting only Year One and Form One pupils, the Education Ministry has confirmed.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh told the Dewan Rakyat that the revised syllabus would be implemented in stages, extending to Year Two and Form Two students in 2028.

“Regarding the curriculum (for the History subject) currently in use by the Ministry of Education, it is indeed applied for a certain period and when the time comes, we will introduce a new curriculum for the new schooling cohort,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session.

“For next year, we will introduce the new curriculum, involving Form One and Year One, while the following year, 2028, it will cover Form Two and Year Two,” he added.

Wong was responding to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Member of Parliament for Muar, who sought clarification on the timeline for reviewing and updating the History syllabus.

The Deputy Minister, who is also MP for Taiping, explained that curriculum revisions are undertaken only when necessary.

“It (the review) can be conducted from time to time, but the Ministry of Education always ensures that it is aligned with the National Education Philosophy,” he said.

“At the same time, it must be balanced, with all segments taken into consideration,” he added.

During the exchange, Syed Saddiq urged caution to ensure that partisan politics are not introduced into the History syllabus.

“In our effort to review the curriculum or introduce new historical input (into the History subject), I hope the ministry exercises great care,” he said.

“The lens of history, if coloured by partisan politics, even if it favours us, could cause parents to feel uncomfortable sending their children to school and ultimately result in losses for the country as a whole.

“If we focus on matters of general public concern, such as the Rukun Negara, no one would object. However, if partisan politics is inserted, there is concern it could be amplified and the good elements (in History textbooks) may be overlooked,” he said.

Wong expressed agreement with those concerns and reiterated the ministry’s position.

“Indeed, we (the Ministry of Education) ensure that the History curriculum remains relevant, and at the same time we make certain that the content is balanced and free from any partisan political influence.

“This is indeed the ministry’s position,” he said. - February 11, 2026