Wanita MCA fully supports the proposed amendment to the Education Bill 2025, recently introduced by Education Director-General Datuk Azman Adnan.
We hope this Bill will be successfully passed during the upcoming Second Meeting of the Fourth Term of the 15th Parliament session in June.
This amendment is crucial to advancing Malaysia’s education system and achieving Unesco’s target of a 95% student enrolment rate.
Education is the foundation of national prosperity and social progress.
While Malaysia’s secondary school enrolment rate currently stands at 94.66%—close to the international standard—there is still room for improvement.
Education is not only crucial for individual development, but also directly impacts the country’s future competitiveness.
By making secondary education compulsory, we can ensure that all students receive a complete basic education, strengthening national human capital, reducing social inequality, and cultivating more high-quality talent for the country.
While Malaysia’s secondary school enrolment rate is commendably high at 94.66%, meeting internationally recognised standards, there is still room for further progress.
Education is not only essential for personal development but also plays a key role in Malaysia’s global competitiveness.
By enforcing compulsory secondary education, we can ensure that every child receives a complete education, strengthening the nation’s human capital.
A well-educated generation is vital for reducing social inequality and nurturing high-quality talent across various fields.
The Malaysian government has long been committed to enhancing national education and has implemented policies providing free primary and secondary education.
For over 20 years, Malaysia has offered free schooling from Year 1 to Form 6 (STPM), ensuring that all school-aged children have access to fundamental education and promoting nationwide literacy.
Building on this foundation, the passage of the 2025 Education Act Amendment and the enforcement of compulsory secondary education will not only improve enrolment rates, but also ensure accountability for every student’s future.
Young people with a secondary education are more likely to secure stable employment, which in turn improves their quality of life.
Alongside this, they will be able to contribute more significantly to society.
Furthermore, compulsory secondary education will foster technological innovation, enhance the overall quality of the labour market, and strengthen Malaysia’s position in global economic competition.
Another key advantage of compulsory secondary education is its positive impact on public health.
Well-educated individuals are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles and have greater awareness of healthcare, reducing the burden on the national healthcare system.
Additionally, secondary education fosters critical thinking and a sense of social responsibility, better preparing students for the complexities of modern society.
To fully realise these benefits, the government must invest more in educational resources, ensuring that schools have proper infrastructure, sufficient teaching staff, and financial support for underprivileged families so that all students can access education equitably.
Additionally, raising public awareness among parents about the importance of education is essential to driving the nation’s sustainable development.
Only through these measures can Malaysia secure its future talent pool, strengthen its global competitiveness, and build a more prosperous and progressive society.
DATUK WONG YOU FONG
Wanita MCA chief
