“The focus of the Level One curriculum is on the mastery of reading, writing, calculating and reasoning skills, basic information and technology skills, and creativity,” Fadhlina said.

The Nibong Tebal (MP) also stated that the primary-level of education focuses on fostering physical, cognitive, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and moral development, which the minister believes is what puts Malaysia on par with other academically-lauded countries.

“The implementation of subjects at Level One allows each child to build a foundation of good values, develop self-confidence and a positive attitude, and acquire basic knowledge and skills in preparation for further learning,” Fadhlina added.

However, the Education Minister’s viewpoint on the local education scene was much different from Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s, who brought up the issue of Malaysian secondary school students trailing behind the average international median in academic competence by a few years.