The Malaysian Ministry of Education has announced plans to create 2,596 new classrooms across 838 schools as part of efforts to prepare the education system for a projected increase in Year 1 pupil enrolment in 2027.
The move follows the introduction of a new policy that will allow the simultaneous admission of children from two age groups beginning in 2027.
According to Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Education, Wong Kah Woh, the establishment of additional classrooms is only one aspect of the preparations for the policy change.
He disclosed that 478,469 applications have already been registered for Year 1 admission in 2027, comprising 405,003 applications from seven-year-olds and 73,386 from six-year-olds.
The ministry said the new policy is expected to increase the number of Year 1 pupils by 12.07 per cent compared to the 2026 intake, which consisted solely of seven-year-old children.
To accommodate the expected rise in enrolment, authorities are also expanding the capacity of existing schools through the reconfiguration of facilities, the introduction of two-shift learning systems and, where necessary, the redistribution of pupils to neighbouring schools.
The ministry added that it is addressing staffing, financial and organisational requirements, while also training teachers to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy.
According to the ministry, all preparatory measures are expected to be completed before the policy takes effect in 2027.
