Anwar pledges sweeping education reforms through National Education Council

PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged sweeping reforms to Malaysia's education system through the National Education Council, describing it as the government's key platform for delivering transformative change that prepares future generations for the demands of a rapidly evolving world.

Chairing the council's inaugural meeting for 2026, Anwar said policymakers reviewed the strategic direction of both school and higher education, focusing on raising educational standards at district level, strengthening the Bumiputera education agenda and developing a robust pipeline of STEM talent to support the country's long-term growth.

He said the council had been established to lead comprehensive reforms rather than simply refine existing policies, with curriculum enhancement and content modernisation among its central priorities.

"I emphasise that the National Education Council was established not merely to make adjustments, but to drive bold and meaningful change so that our education system remains relevant to the demands of the times, including through improvements to content and the curriculum, while strengthening proficiency in the English language as a second language without neglecting the values, culture, national language and moral principles that form the foundation of Malaysia MADANI," Anwar said in a Facebook post.

He added that strengthening English proficiency should complement, rather than replace, the country's commitment to preserving its national language, cultural identity and moral values.

Anwar also stressed that education policies should be shaped through objective assessment and informed by the expertise and perspectives of educators, specialists and other stakeholders to ensure reforms effectively equip young Malaysians for the future.

Warning against complacency, he said the nation could not afford to rely on outdated approaches if it wished to remain competitive.

"Education must be evaluated objectively, guided by the views and expertise of various parties, so that every step taken genuinely prepares future generations.

"A culture of complacency with the existing system must not hinder progress. More importantly, we must be prepared to embrace change, undertake bold reforms and continue elevating the quality of national education to a higher level," he said. - July 1, 2026