THE Government has allocated RM1.08 billion this year to enhance preschool education, as part of the Education Ministry’s (KPM) total budget of RM64.1 billion, underscoring its commitment to strengthening the foundations of early childhood learning.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said that of the total allocation, RM42.45 billion has been channelled to education operations programmes, including early childhood and preschool education components.
“Of the RM1.08 billion allocated for early childhood education, RM1.077 billion is for emoluments, while RM9.25 million covers non-emolument expenditure,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday in response to a question from Paya Besar MP Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah.
“In line with efforts to enhance the quality of preschool education, the Ministry is focusing on developing teacher competencies to prepare them for the Preschool Curriculum 2026, which will be officially implemented next year,” he said.
Wong added that curriculum familiarisation training for 2025 is being conducted in phases, starting with master trainers at national, state and district levels before being extended to preschool teachers nationwide.
For this purpose, RM3.38 million has been allocated for the development of training modules and implementation of teacher training, covering pedagogy, professional skills, curriculum content mastery and the inculcation of noble values.
Among the initiatives introduced are the development of training modules, value-operationalisation workshops and teacher professional development programmes, aligned with the aspirations of the National Education Philosophy and the Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013–2025).
“Overall, these efforts not only enhance teachers’ confidence in delivering the new curriculum but also ensure that preschool pupils are developed holistically—intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically,” Wong said.
The Deputy Minister also urged all private kindergartens in Malaysia to register under the Education Ministry to ensure uniform standards in preschool education.
“Most private kindergartens are already registered, and those that are not must do so with KPM for the benefit of our children,” he said, responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN–Paya Besar) regarding disparities in preschool quality nationwide.
“This is clear evidence of the Government’s commitment to strengthening early childhood education in order to nurture a generation that is knowledgeable, skilled and morally upright,” Wong added. – November 3, 2025
