MOE: ‘Pendidikan Karakter’ Subject Introduced to Develop Morals, Mental Health Checks Twice Yearly for All Students

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is preparing to roll out the 2027 School Curriculum next year, with a new subject called “Pendidikan Karakter” (Character Education), which is set to become its core focus.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the new curriculum aims to further strengthen students’ personal growth, values, and moral development.

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The new curriculum will be introduced to preschoolers first

Fadhlina said MOE is now preparing for the 2027 curriculum, which will introduce Character Education as its main pillar and foundation, according to Malaysia Gazette.

She explained that Character Education will officially be implemented in 2026, starting with preschoolers next year as part of the early rollout phase. Meanwhile, elements of values, morals, and personal development will remain integrated into the education system.

“For now, we’re preparing for the 2027 curriculum, a new framework that will introduce Character Education as its main pillar,” she said.

She added that this new approach will play a key role in shaping the kind of future the education community envisions for the nation.

Fadhlina sidek

All students are to undergo mental health checks twice a year

Meanwhile, UMNO Online reported that MOE will double mental health checks for students from once to twice a year to boost student well-being nationwide.

Fadhlina said the Healthy Mind Screening Programme aims to detect early signs of depression or emotional distress before they worsen.

Students showing symptoms will be referred to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for further support and intervention.

This follows findings from the UNICEF Malaysian Youth Mental Health Index 2023, presented by Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) in Parliament, which revealed that about 6% of Malaysian teens suffer from severe depression.

The programme was previously limited to Standard 5 to Form 6 students, but it is understood that it will be extended to cover all students.

“Proper investigations can’t happen if it’s not taken seriously”

Addressing Education Director General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad’s recent comment that many negative issues in the education system are often “swept under the rug“, Fadhlina clarified that it doesn’t mean incidents in schools are being covered up.

“He didn’t mean that cases were hidden; rather, some incidents had already been reported to teachers, administrators, counsellors, or district and state education offices. However, they were sometimes seen as minor, not serious, or temporary,” she said.

She explained that this perception often led to light or incomplete interventions, which is concerning.

“If such cases aren’t taken seriously, we can’t carry out thorough investigations or implement proper interventions,” she added.

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