The Education Ministry will roll out a new Year Five Bahasa Malaysia syllabus for vernacular schools in 2021 and Year Six in 2022.

Like the revised Year Four syllabus slated to be implemented next year onwards, both textbooks will contain three pages of optional Jawi lessons that will not be tested in examinations even if taught.

Similarly, parents will get the biggest say in whether their children will be taught the lessons.

While the exact content is yet to be published, Education Ministry deputy director-general for Policy and Curriculum Habibah Abdul Rahim has given an idea of what students and parents can expect...