KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry aims to open an additional 350 pre-school classes nationwide, including in rural areas, by 2026 as part of preparations to make pre-school education compulsory by 2030, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said this effort had been allocated RM125 million.
“This includes the expansion of 150 classes in 2025, involving repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms as well as the provision of appropriate equipment.
“The Education Ministry aims to expand a total of 350 classes nationwide, including in rural areas, in 2026 as part of preparations to make pre-school education compulsory by 2030,” he said.
He was responding to Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang), who enquired about the ministry’s plans to ensure quality pre-school education in rural areas.
He said the ministry’s efforts this year include expanding 150 classes by upgrading and refurbishing classrooms with appropriate equipment.
“When we begin implementing compulsory pre-school education, the Education Ministry must first ensure that the necessary facilities and access to pre-school education are fully in place.
“However, the ministry’s current priority is to ensure the best possible expansion of pre-school access so that pre-school education provided under the ministry can be offered free of charge to our children,” Wong said.
He added that the RM125 million allocation is also being channelled into teacher training, which will be carried out in coordination with other ministries, such as the National Unity Ministry and the Community Development Department (Kemas), among others.
Although the ministry frequently engages with other private operators, Wong said it has yet to collaborate with Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (Pasti) pre-schools despite numerous engagement sessions.
To date, there are 10,197 pre-school classes nationwide, with 6,368 under the Education Ministry. Of this total, 3,222 institutions, or 50.6 per cent, are located in urban areas, while the remaining 3,146 institutions, or 49.4 per cent, are in rural areas.
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