KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Children entering Year One early at the age of six (5+), starting from the 2027 session, are expected to complete upper secondary education at 16, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE). “Pupils will undergo five years of secondary education and complete upper secondary education at the age of 16 (15+),” according to the document prepared by the MOE’s Education Policy Planning and Research Division. However, the MOE stressed that early admission is a voluntary option for parents and is not compulsory, and depends entirely on the readiness of children who have attended preschool at the age of five and passed the prescribed diagnostic screening. In terms of infrastructure preparedness, the ministry plans to construct additional classrooms using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) method to meet pupils’ needs nationwide. The early entry policy is part of the flexibility of the national education system to provide opportunities for children who achieve academic readiness earlier to begin formal schooling before the usual age of seven.

Source: The Edge Markets January 21, 2026 01:47 UTC