KUALA LUMPUR, January 28 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in Parliament today that the government will allocate an additional RM800 million to recruit 18,000 new teachers, following the decision to enrol six-year-olds into Year One.
The funding, drawn from this year’s Supplementary Supply Bill, aims to ensure a smooth transition by expanding facilities across primary and secondary schools, vocational and matriculation colleges, and teacher training institutions.
Addressing concerns over infrastructure readiness and potential overcrowding, Anwar said extensive preparations are underway, despite criticism from educators and lawmakers over possible strain on schools and inequality risks.
Defending the policy under the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2026–2035, he noted that 137 countries worldwide enrol six-year-olds into Year One, stressing that Malaysia must not be left behind.
