NIBONG TEBAL: The Education Ministry is working to revert the start of the academic year from March to January.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said this could not be done next year as the ministry needed to resolve and address several issues in accordance with the Education Act 1996.
She gave an assurance that the ministry was committed to the matter.
"The ministry has received many requests for the start of the new school session to be reverted (to January).
"To all parents, please do not worry. We will revert to January.
"The ministry is addressing several issues under the Education Act.
"One is ensuring the total number of schooling days is not less than 190 days, apart from taking into consideration the academic calendar for schools in Group A and Group B states," she said here today.
Group A states refer to Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have Friday and Saturday as rest days. Group B states are the remaining states, which have Saturday and Sunday as rest days.
The school session for the Academic Calendar 2023/2024 will start on March 19 for schools in Group A states and March 20 for schools in Group B states.
Fadhlina said changing the academic calendar for schools must take into consideration several factors, including the local economy, the possibility of floods and ensuring the school session does not clash with the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia examination periods.
