KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): The Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday approved the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, making it compulsory for all Malaysian citizens to complete schooling until the secondary level. Parents who fail to comply with this new requirement can be fined up to RM5,000, jailed up to six months, or both.

The bill, passed by a majority voice vote after a debate involving 34 members of Parliament (MPs), amends the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) by expanding the definition of "compulsory education", which previously only covered primary schooling.

In Malaysia, national secondary schools cater to students approximately aged 12- to 17-years-old, covering both lower secondary (Forms 1 to 3) and upper secondary (Forms 4 and 5) levels, culminating in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. For international schools, the level systems may vary.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, when tabling the bill for its second reading, said the amendments aim to guarantee comprehensive and continuous access to education for all Malaysian children, in line with evolving national needs.

“The Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 is not merely an administrative initiative — it is a manifestation of the Ministry of Education’s determination to strengthen the education system, guarantee our children’s rights and build a brighter future for Malaysia,” she said.

While the bill received broad support from across the political spectrum, some MPs raised concerns about its implementation. Specific worries were voiced regarding children from low-income households, those with special learning needs, and undocumented minors who still encounter barriers to enrolment in government schools.

Public Accounts Committee deputy chair Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) and former education minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) both questioned how the law would be enforced against parents who homeschool their children or send them to private schools.

In her winding-up speech, Fadhlina clarified that students attending any registered private institutions are still subject to the Education Act. However, parents who place their children in unregistered private schools will be liable under the new provisions.

Other MPs urged the government to strengthen financial aid and counselling support before taking punitive action against parents. In response, Fadhlina said the government currently provides as many as 18 safety-net measures to assist students in need.

The struggles some parents face in this issue are reflected among single mothers and B40 (bottom 40% income group) families, who often have to choose between buying food and purchasing school supplies, said Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera).

Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau), meanwhile, raised concerns over admission difficulties faced by children of foreign workers with valid documents. Another issue raised by MPs is the plight of thousands of undocumented children in Malaysia who are denied access to education due to the lack of birth certificates or other official documents.

Some warned that extending compulsory education alone would not guarantee school attendance if structural issues such as poverty, overcrowded classrooms, bullying, mental health challenges and limited internet access are not addressed.

For more Parliament stories, click here.