Women's group welcomes compulsory secondary schooling bill

The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) welcomes the decision to make secondary schooling compulsory for all, following the successful reading of the Education Amendment Bill 2025 in the House of Representatives.

This significant amendment expands the existing Education Act 1996, extending compulsory education beyond primary level (ages six to 12) to secondary school education up to age 17, unless officially exempted.

Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to RM 5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

At the WAO, we believe that education is a right, not a privilege. Every child, regardless of gender, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and fulfil their potential.

This decision to make secondary education compulsory is not only a progressive step for Malaysia. It is a critical move toward fulfilling our international commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees every child the right to education without discrimination.

What this means for women and girls:

The WAO applauds this progressive move and urges the government to take further action to translate this policy into tangible outcomes by: