Malaysian preschools under the Ministry of Education Ministry have received an overwhelmed response from parents nationwide, with more than 120,000 applications submitted for the upcoming school year. Education Minister YB Fadhlina Sidek said that as of 4th of March, the ministry had received 121,568 applications for preschool placements.
The applications include 61, 430 children born in 2021, 52,189 children born in 2022, and 7,949 children born in 2023, reflecting strong demand for early childhood education offered by government institutions. YB Fadhlina stated that the ministry prioritises four and five year old children from low-income families and those living in rural areas, ensuring that access to early education reaches communities that need it most.
“This serves as preparation for children before they enrol in formal Year One education”, she said during the Jaulah Ramadan Komuniti 2026 programme held at SMK Sultanah Hajah Kalsom.
Currently, the ministry operates 10,514 preschool classes across 6,469 institutions nationwide, with 350 new classes introduced this year to accommodate the growing demand. The total preschool capacity now stands at 256, 894 places, providing broader access to early learning opportunities to Malaysia children.
According to YB Fadhlina, preschools managed by the ministry are increasingly becoming a preferred choice among parents due to their quality education, free preschool access, trained teachers and well-equipped facilities.
In addition, all registered pupils benefit from the Preschool Food Assistance Programme, which supports children’s nutritional needs while they attend schools. The minister also highlighted encouraging progress in enrolment trends, noting that registrations for preschool and six-years-old entering Year One for the 2027 academic session have shown positive development.
Applications for preschools under the ministry are currently open online from 2nd March 2026- 31st May 2026, allowing parents and guardians of Malaysian children to apply conveniently. Eligibility is open to children born between 2nd January 2021 and 31st December 2023. YB Fadhlina added that programmes such as Jaulah Ramadan Komuniti provide an important platform for the ministry to engage directly with parents, teachers and students while sharing it’s plans to improve the nation’s education system through the National Education Plan for 2026-2035.
The strong response from parents reflects the growing recognition of preschool education as a crucial foundation for children’s learning and development before entering primary school.
Sources: NST
