Gerakan supports the proposal for children to start formal education at the age of five but the authorities concerned must see to it that a proper mechanism is in place before implementation of the policy.

Gerakan vice-president A. Kohilan said there should be adequate teachers, classrooms, teaching facilities and allocation of funds when the new system is implemented.

“We are optimistic this policy will be good for the country. Although early education has been in place in many countries, it will spell the advent of a new era for Malaysia’s education system,” he said in a statement.

Kohilan, who is also Gerakan’s bureau head on government administration affairs and Selangor Gerakan chairman, said early education for our youngsters would pave the way for them to come out to society early to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.

However, Kohilan, who is also Deputy Foreign Minister, said teachers must be re-trained to handle children at age of five, as compared to the present system of age six for them to go to school.

He said one year of gap for a child to go to school would make a big difference and there is a need to handle the young children properly.

In England, United States and Japan, children start school when they are five years’ old, while in France, Belgium, Italy, the children start at six years’ old.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday endorsed a proposal for children to begin formal education at the age of five.

But he pointed out that the ministry would first conduct a comprehensive study on the proposal before implementing the plan.

Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, stressed that as this was a major move it had to be studied carefully.