Year 1 at 6: Anwar's U-turn shows new plan a half-baked policy, PAS MP says

 

An opposition MP has criticised Putrajaya for making a half-baked policy in its new education plan.

This followed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's remarks this morning, where he said the government is scrapping its plan for diagnostic tests for children aged six to check their eligibility to enrol in Year One primary school.

In a Facebook post, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari branded the cancellation as a "U-turn" and said it was proof that Putrajaya did not think through before they announced the plan last week.

"It is good when the government makes a U-turn for the benefit of the rakyat.

"However, this also shows that the government did not really do an in-depth study before they announced a policy," he said on Facebook.

PAS MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari

Last week, Anwar launched the 2026-2035 Education Plan, which saw the introduction of several new initiatives, including giving parents the option to enrol their six-year-old children in Year One if they believe their children are ready.

Planned to begin next year, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the implementation would be carried out in phases and involve diagnostic assessments, prioritising children who were truly ready.

The proposal has since courted many criticisms, including from MPs who raised concerns over having a two-tier system, among others.

Psychological effects on children

Following this, Anwar this morning told the Dewan Rakyat that he has agreed to scrap the diagnostic test proposal.

He said the proposal had been carefully reviewed, including concerns that such testing could have psychological effects on children.

"The initial proposal was well-intentioned, as it aimed to introduce an assessment system before children enter school. However, it was felt that it could be discriminatory in nature.

"This could lead to children being deemed unfit or less intelligent before entering Year One or preschool, which may have psychological consequences.

“Therefore, it is now scrapped. This was the education minister’s recommendation, and I agreed," he said, as quoted by Bernama. - Mkini