Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the programme’s implementation is subject to the ministry’s decision to allow existing groups of students to continue DLP classes, according to individual school cases.

“Schools must comply with the existing guidelines for new Year One and Form One student cohorts in the 2024/2025 session,” Fadhlina said in a statement.

“The ministry is responsible for mapping accepting secondary schools to ensure each student cohort can continue learning in classes that implement DLP.”

Previously, several parties launched a joint petition to retain the existing guidelines on the DLP’s implementation in schools nationwide.

They sought for the ministry to withdraw its directive for all schools to mandatorily commence at least one non-DLP class in the teaching of mathematics and science.

Fadhlina said recent field visits indicated that there are students in DLP schools who do not have basic proficiency in Malay and their mother tongue.

“Therefore, schools that agree to implement the DLP must ensure that all criteria are met, including proficiency in the Malay language,” she said.

She said the ministry would continue efforts to elevate the mastery of Malay language and enhance the quality of English-language education.

Earlier this month, the ministry permitted full implementation of the DLP in five Kuala Lumpur schools – SK Convent Bukit Nanas (1), SK Bukit Damansara, SJKT Vivekananda, SJKT Segambut and SJKT Ladang Edinburgh.