Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In Malaysia, the official entrance age to pre-primary education is four years old. In 2024, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was 81.12%.
Governance
Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Malaysia is divided into two age groups:
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TASKA (Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak)- children under the age of four, overseen by the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), primarily made up of the private sector (71%). Different types of TASKA public centres may be operated by or funded by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, the Department of Community Development (KEMAS), the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) or the Ministry of Education.
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Preschool- children aged 4-6, overseen by the Ministry of Education (MOE), primarily made up of the public sector (60%). Besides the MOE, other government agencies such as KEMAS, KPN, and the State Islamic Education Department (JAIN) also operate and fund preschools.
Tuition-free status
Public ECEs are typically provided for free or subsidised. Starting in 2027, compulsory pre-school enrolment will start at age 5. Parents may chose to enroll their children in primary school at age 6 or 7.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No mechanism was found to ensure the equitable transfer of large general funds from the central level to local sectors.
2. Education resources to institutions
Government TASKA mainly target children from rural areas or disadvantaged backgrounds. Parties interested in setting up TASKA can apply for an RM 55,000 grant for this purpose. Additionally, various tax incentives are given to private childcare operators and employers to set up workplace TASKA to ensure greater provision of ECE services for working parents. Government funds have been used to set up TASKA in government buildings, hospitals, and schools.
All public preschools receive an allocation for free meals and learning materials from the government.
3. Education resources to students and families
Families in urban areas with incomes below RM 2,000 or those in rural areas with incomes below RM 12,000 are eligible for monthly subsidies of RM 180 per child to attend a community TASKA. In areas where community TASKA are not available, individual state governments offer supplemental cash subsidies to help enrol the children in registered private childcare facilities. The government also provides individual tax relief to parents to send their children to TASKA and preschools.
MOE preschools are mandated to provide equitable education access to children from low-income families. As such, admission to the preschool depends on the student’s age, household income, citizenship of the parent, and distance between the preschool and home. Priority is given to low-income families, and public schools are often located in remote or rural areas.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
No social policies specifically aimed at improving access to pre-primary education were found. However, other social assistance programmes which target children include Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA). Both are cash grants which are given to low-income households. The amount varies based on the number of children. SARA can be used to purchase school supplies.
Bantuan Kanak-kanak (BKK)
The BKK is a cash grant that targets children who are a part of households below the current average poverty link (PGK) and children without qualified guardians. The grant provides RM 250 per person for children below the age of 6.
