After Year 1 diagnosis U-turn, MP tells govt to assess schools' capacity

 

PARLIAMENT | Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) today called on the Education Ministry to assess current capacities for teachers, classrooms, and supporting facilities before proceeding with a plan to enrol six-year-olds in Year One beginning next year.

In his debate on the royal address, the Bersatu lawmaker and former education minister said this follows the latest decision to scrap an initial diagnostic test as part of the enrolment screening process.

“Based on birth data for 2021, it is estimated that around 440,000 children will turn six in 2027. If the average class size is 35 students, more than 12,500 classrooms would be needed.

“It would certainly be very challenging for the Education Ministry to prepare all these classrooms within the next 11 months. This does not yet include the need to provide teachers and other facilities,” he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat that he has agreed to scrap the proposed diagnostic screening test after considering various views, including concerns that such testing could have psychological effects on children.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Addressing school overcrowding, Anwar, who served as education minister from 1987 to 1990, also acknowledged that congestion remains a challenge, particularly in urban areas, but said a two-session school system could be considered for preschool and Year One pupils.

As the finance minister, Anwar also announced that an additional RM800 million will be allocated in this year’s budget to meet urgent needs, including the recruitment of 18,000 new teachers.

Phased admission, double sessions

Meanwhile, Radzi proposed a phased admissions process based on date of birth to replace the scrapped diagnostic test, as well as to manage classroom congestion.

“Let’s say that in 2027 the ministry has the capacity to take in an additional 100,000 six-year-old students. Then the ministry can determine who these 100,000 students should be.

“In this context, perhaps six-year-olds born between January and April could be allowed to enrol first.

“This would avoid the question of why some students are allowed in while others are not,” he said.

With increased capacities, Radzi said subsequent years could see higher enrolment of six-year-olds across an expanded range of birth months.

On the adoption of double-session schools, Radzi said there are 655 primary schools nationwide that operate in morning and afternoon sessions.

“So I am asking the Education Ministry to explain, based on projections, how many single-session schools will become double-session schools if the intake of six-year-old Year One students is implemented?

“I also request the ministry to list these schools,” he said.

He further questioned whether existing double-session primary schools have the capacity to accept additional enrolment of six-year-olds into Year One.

The entry into Year One at age six has not been made mandatory, but parents are encouraged to consider enrolling their children, alongside a new policy that requires pre-school entry at age five. - Mkini