KUALA LUMPUR – Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the government’s decision to cancel the mandatory diagnostic test for six-year-olds entering Year One is a step towards preventing an educational caste system from forming among young children.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for accepting his proposal on the issue.
"I am thankful that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has accepted my proposal in Parliament. There will be no more entry tests, eligibility tests, or diagnostic assessments for six-year-olds entering Year One," Syed Saddiq said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
"This will prevent a caste system in education at such a young age. I oppose such solutions out of love for Malaysia."
Previously, the government had planned to implement a diagnostic test for six-year-olds entering Year One to assess their readiness for formal schooling. However, this plan was scrapped after concerns arose that it could place undue psychological pressure on young children and lead to discrimination.
During the Prime Minister's Question Time (MPQT) in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar explained that the decision was made after consulting various stakeholders, with an emphasis on continuous monitoring of student development by both teachers and parents.
Syed Saddiq, who has been vocal on the matter, praised the decision to allow six-year-olds to enter Year One as a good step in principle, in line with international standards. However, he raised concerns after an additional announcement required children to pass an eligibility test before they could begin Year One at the age of six.
"The issue arose when, 24 hours later, an announcement stated that even if parents chose to send their children to Year One at six, they would still have to pass a qualifying test first," Syed Saddiq explained. "This could result in children being excluded from the system for a year and cause negative psychological impacts."
The government’s decision followed a recommendation from Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to abolish the diagnostic test, a move that Anwar agreed with. The Prime Minister clarified that the cancellation aimed to simplify the process and ease the burden on both parents and the education system.
"After reviewing the situation, we decided to cancel it to make the system easier to implement," Anwar stated, emphasising the responsibility of teachers and parents to monitor children's readiness for school.
Anwar also referenced the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2026-2035, which will allow parents to register children at six, a year earlier than the current minimum age of seven. While the government has cancelled the diagnostic test, Anwar assured that a continuous evaluation process would remain in place through other means, such as teacher and parent involvement.
Syed Saddiq, who had earlier warned against the diagnostic test due to its potential for discrimination, expressed concern that it could exacerbate social inequalities.
He highlighted the challenges faced by lower-income families in accessing pre-school education, which could result in a learning gap for children who cannot afford it. "Children from higher-income families are more likely to pass the test, while those from lower-income families may struggle," he said.
Additionally, Syed Saddiq expressed worries that children who were permitted to enter Year One early might be labelled as "smart," leading to bullying or stigma. He argued that the widening age gap between students could contribute to a rise in bullying incidents. "We are already seeing an increase in bullying, including violent incidents, which makes it difficult to justify creating a further one-year gap between children," he stated.
The former youth and sports minister also raised concerns about the increasing pressure on teachers, particularly given the shortage of educators and overcrowded classrooms. He warned that the introduction of psychometric and skills-based assessments would add an overwhelming number of evaluations each year, further burdening the education system.
"We are taking away the fun of education," Syed Saddiq lamented, stressing the importance of a well-rounded, enjoyable educational experience for young children. - January 27, 2026
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