Draft bill on compulsory secondary education being prepared, says Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has prepared the draft bill to increase mandatory schooling from six to 11 years.

In a written parliamentary reply dated Nov 7, minister Fadhlina Sidek said the proposal to increase the mandatory schooling years to 11 years was to ensure that all Malaysian children are given equal opportunity to develop their respective potential by completing secondary education.

“To fine-tune the draft bill, the Education Ministry has taken many initiatives including holding engagements with stakeholders from ministries and government agencies,” she said.

“The draft bill will be tabled in Parliament after approvals from all levels of decision makers including the Cabinet,” she added.

She was responding to a question by Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) on whether the government will amend the Education Act to increase the years for mandatory schooling.

The present education policy states that under the Education Act 1996, education is only compulsory up to Year Six.

It was previously reported in March 2023 that the Education Ministry had submitted a draft proposal to the Attorney-General's Chambers to make secondary school education compulsory. - Star