Education Ministry will propose mandatory secondary education by 17
Langkawi, June 19, 2025— Next month, Malaysia’s school ministry will propose amending the Education Act 1996 to make secondary school obligatory until 17. The change will reduce student dropout rates and enhance educational parity.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced the news during a press conference after the ASEAN Education and Higher Education Ministers Roundtable Conference (#EduRoundtables2025) in Langkawi.
“After finalizing the compulsory secondary education policy, we will examine the benefits of compulsory preschool,” added Fadhlina.
The amendment will be debated and approved in the next Parliament session, July 21–August 28, 2025.
Dropout Rates and Holistic Reform
All Malaysians must complete six years of primary school under the Compulsory Primary School Policy. The proposed amendment would prolong this legal mandate through secondary school, guaranteeing children stay in school until 17.
Minister Fadhlina said the measure is part of a larger reform effort to guarantee every Malaysian kid obtains a decent education and that early interventions, especially at preschool, will avoid dropout.
“Before we implement the policy to make preschool compulsory, we must prepare the ecosystem—including infrastructure and qualified teachers,” she said.
Early Childhood Education Still Struggles
Malaysian preschool education has challenges such as limited infrastructure, logistical restrictions in rural areas, and a dearth of skilled early childhood instructors despite tremendous gains.
Fadhlina highlighted that preschool foundations are crucial to reducing dropout rates, and initiatives are underway to recruit competent teachers and improve educational access in marginalized neighborhoods.
Regional Collaboration at #EduRoundtables2025
The roundtable conference began on June 18 and includes ASEAN education ministers, Timorese delegates, and global partners UNESCO, UNICEF, SEAMEO, and ICESCO.
The forum, titled “Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) Challenges,” promotes collaboration and knowledge to combat educational exclusion in Southeast Asia.
This is Malaysia’s fifth ASEAN presidency, following 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. This high-level education summit shows the country’s commitment to regional education reform and inclusive development leadership.