Scrapping diagnostic test welccomed, but Malaysia needs uniform entry age for Primary One, says social activist

KUCHING, Jan 27 2026: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has welcomed the federal Ministry of Education (MoE) decision to scrap off a proposal to implement the need of a diagnostic test on six year old children for entry to Primary One class next year’s session.

Voon Shiak Ni: Parents have also urged that MoE urgently clarify and standardise the official entry age for Primary One students nationwide .   

Prime Minister  Anwar Ibrahim has agreed to scrap the proposed diagnostic screening test to assess children's eligibility for entry into Year One as early as six years old, beginning with the 2027 school session.

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

He said 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.

He added 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.

Voon, however, said that Malaysia needs a uniform and clearly enforced Primary One entry age to ensure fairness, prevent discrimination, and support children’s mental and developmental readiness for school.

To further address the issue positively , Voon said parents have also urged that MoE urgently clarify and standardise the official entry age for Primary One students nationwide .  

“The current policy framework, which allows entry at both six and seven years old depending on interpretation and discretion, has created widespread confusion among parents and will give rise to inconsistencies in implementation across schools, and the possibilities of unequal treatment and assessment of children within the national education system.

“As a centrally administered education system, Malaysia must uphold uniformity and fairness in access to primary education,” she said.

She added the absence of a single, clearly enforced entry age will result  in disparities in the system  where children of the same birth cohort are placed in different academic years.

“This inconsistency gives rise to perceived discrimination and places unnecessary pressure on families to push children into early entry, regardless of their developmental readiness.

“From an educational perspective, mixed-age classrooms with noticeable developmental gaps also present challenges for teachers in managing learning outcomes, classroom discipline, and student wellbeing,” Voon pointed out.

She stressed that a standardised entry age would enable educators and parents to better monitor and support students’ cognitive, emotional, and social development during this critical stage of formal education.

She pointed that standardisation will enable teachers and parents to more effectively monitor pupils’ cognitive, emotional, and social readiness, ensuring that children enter Primary One at an age appropriate to their mental development.

“MoE is therefore urged to establish a single, clearly defined official entry age for Primary One and if decided on 6 years old then let all children prepare for entry at 6 years old .

“I also propose that the new policy for entry into Primary One to be enforced at a later date taking into consideration  the present 6 years old and 5 years old who may not be ready yet for the new system .

“I also urge the ministry to communicate the new policy clearly and effectively to schools, educators, and parents for smoother implementation of the new policy.

“Clarity and consistency in this matter are essential to protect children’s best interests, reduce systemic inequality, and strengthen confidence in Malaysia’s education governance,” Voon stressed.