Compulsory Basic Education Operational Policy

Introduction

This policy aims to ensure that every Malaysian citizen parent residing in Malaysia with a child who turns six years old on the first day of the school year must enroll them in primary school. Additionally, parents must ensure that the child remains a student in primary school throughout their primary education.

Policy Statement

Compulsory education is a law that requires every Malaysian citizen parent residing in Malaysia to ensure that if their child turns six years old on the first day of January in the current school year, the child is enrolled in primary school. The compulsory education period is six years, which is the duration of primary education.

Source of Authority

• Education Act 1996 (Act 550): Subsections 29A(1), (2), (3), and (4).
• Circular Letter Ikhtisas No. 14/2002: Implementation of Compulsory Education at the Lower Level 2003 dated November 27, 2002.
• Guidelines for the Implementation of Compulsory Education at the Lower Level for the year 2003.

Implementation Method

• Implement a registration process that starts with application and verification before the child enrolls on the first day of school.
• Adhere to the criteria for the implementation of compulsory education regarding the education period and the children involved.
• Provide legal implications warnings to parents concerning the failure to ensure their child attends compulsory education.

Penalties

The failure of parents to ensure their child attends compulsory education is a legal offense. Parents convicted of this offense may be subject to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

Effective Date 1 Januari 2003