PETALING JAYA – The school year for Group A will go from March 19, 2023, to March 9, 2024, and for Group B, it will go from March 20, 2023, to March 10, 2024.

The Education Ministry said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 10) that the decision to move the start of the school year from March 12 (Group A) and March 13 (Group B) 2023 is to make sure that the SPM exam can be done smoothly.

Group A are states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, while Group B comprises the states of Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and the three Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

“When the SPM is held in February or March, the applicants concerned to enter the college will also have a shorter waiting period.”

– Ministry of Education Malaysia

The ministry stated it maintains the school session for the Academic Calendar Session 2023/2024 in March 2023 to comply with the Education (Terms, Days and School Holidays) Regulations 1998 (Amendment) 2021.

It added that the Regulations state that the number of school days in the academic calendar must not be less than 190 days.

The ministry then stated that it is considering reinstating the school year to January by gradually reducing school breaks from 2023 to 2026.

It also said that it had taken note of suggestions from different groups to start the school year in January again.

“The ministry is of the view that this can be implemented by gradually shortening school holidays starting from 2023 until 2026 with compliance with the number of school days in the academic calendar,” said the ministry.

“However, taking into account the well-being of teachers and students as well as the effect on the national economy, the ministry has decided to delay this proposal in order to have the least amount of effect on the people involved,” the statement said.

The ministry also said that it will take into account different points of view to stop the SPM exams from being held in November and December, when the monsoon season is happening.

“Conducting the SPM exam during the rainy season can generate stress not only for the teachers and exam personnel, but also for the students and parents concerned,” the ministry stated.

“When the SPM is held in February or March, the applicants concerned to enter the college will also have a shorter waiting period,” it added.

On the ministry’s website, www.moe.gov.my/takwim, you can download the academic calendar for the 2023–2024 school year.

Info source – The Star