Government To Clarify IPTA Entry Pathways For Non-National Education Streams – Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 23 (Bernama) --  The government will clarify the entry requirements to public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) for students who graduate from education streams that are not based on the national education system soon.

MADANI Government Spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had instructed the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) to examine the matter during the Cabinet meeting held today.

Fahmi, who is also the Minister of Communications, said the directive followed public feedback calling for clearer pathways to IPTA admission, particularly for students from tahfiz schools and holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

“This will be followed by a statement from MOE and KPT. Insya Allah, next week both ministries will hold a media briefing to provide more detailed information,” he said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting here today.

 “This will be followed by a statement from the KPM and KPT. “God willing, next week, both ministries will hold a briefing with media friends to provide more detailed information,” he said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting here today.

Fahmi also said the Prime Minister had instructed MOE and the Ministry of Works to review infrastructure preparedness to accommodate the anticipated increase in student enrolment following the decision to allow children to enter preschool at the age of five and Year One at the age of six.

He said the preparations include the construction of new classrooms and the recruitment of additional teachers.

“Teachers will also need to be supplied through the Teacher Education Institute (IPG) if there is an increase in student numbers.

“In addition, there have been requests from institutions such as tahfiz schools that require teachers, particularly for Form One and above, to prepare students for the Bahasa Melayu and History subjects for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysian (SPM) examination,” he said.

Last Tuesday, the Prime Minister launched the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026–2035, which is jointly led by the Ministry of Education through the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026–2035 and the Ministry of Higher Education through the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026–2035.

Among the key initiatives under the blueprint is the implementation, from 2027, of preschool entry at age five and Year One entry at age six, subject to the readiness of parents and students.

In addition, new centrally administered learning assessments by the Examination Board will be introduced for Year Four students starting in 2026 and for Form Three students from 2027.

To strengthen national identity, students in all schools—including Sekolah Agama Rakyat, international schools and private schools—will be required to study Bahasa Melayu and History in accordance with the National Curriculum.

-- BERNAMA