School and Nursery (Taska) for Foreign Workers' Children in Johor: What We Know So Far

As of 16 Oct 2026. General information, not legal advice. In short: according to a statement in the Sarawak assembly on 14 October 2026, a non-citizen child is eligible for a government school if at least one biological parent is a Malaysian citizen, as shown on the birth certificate. For foreign workers' children whose parents are both non-citizens, the Ministry of Education (MOE) School Management Sector page lists specific eligible categories (for example, children of Employment Pass category I and II holders). The same page says children of workers in construction, manufacturing, cleaning and domestic work are not eligible, because those parents cannot bring dependants. Confirm with the PPD before deciding.

What to do / who to contact

• Contact the district education office (PPD) in your district or the Johor State Education Department (JPN) before enrolling, and ask for the answer in writing. Non-citizen applications are made manually at the PPD or JPN using the Jadual Pertama P.U.(A) 275 form.
• For a taska: make sure it is registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) under the Child Care Centre Act 1984 (Act 308). Parents can check the lists of registered centres from JKM, KEMAS and JPNIN (malaysia.gov.my, updated 13 March 2026).
• Our document partner says "if you want a school or taska, ask". WhatsApp us. Ask them which school or taska they refer to, and check its registration yourself.

Government schools

• If at least one biological parent is a Malaysian citizen: a non-citizen child may enter a government or government-aided school, subject to the Education Act 1996 and the Education Regulations 1998. A Sarawak minister said this in the state assembly on 14 Oct 2026 (FMT, Kosmo).
• Non-citizen categories according to MOE: the MOE School Management Sector page lists, among others, children of foreign embassy staff, children of work-pass holders in government service, agencies or statutory bodies, children of permanent residents, and legally adopted children of citizens. For parents in the worker category, it names Employment Pass category I (salary RM10,000 and above) and category II (RM5,000 to RM9,999).
• Not eligible, per the same page: children of workers in construction, manufacturing, cleaning and domestic work, because their parents cannot bring dependants. UNHCR-card refugee children (IMM13) are pointed to PBA or CLC centres or private institutions. This is what the MOE page says; rules can change, so confirm with the PPD.
• Fees for non-citizens: RM120 a year (primary) and RM240 a year (secondary), paid before admission at the Finance Unit of the JPN concerned (MOE page; the same rates were reported by Bernama in 2018). We found no 2026 circular, so confirm the current amount with the PPD or JPN Johor.
• When to apply: Year 1 and Form 1 intake is open 1 October to 30 November of the current year; other categories are open all year (MOE page). Documents asked for include the child's and parents' passports, the student pass, the employment pass and dependant pass, and a verified employer letter.
• 2027 school session: starts 4 January 2027 for Group A (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) and Group B, which includes Johor. Group B ends on 3 December 2027 (FMT, 2 Oct 2026). For term-break dates, use the official MOE calendar, as unofficial sites differ slightly.
• The MOE once planned to amend the 1998 admission regulations to cover non-citizen children, those with undetermined status and those without documents (The Vibes, 14 June 2023). We found no later report on whether the amendment passed.
• International schools, private schools and learning centres: we found no official data. Ask the school directly.

Taska

• Every taska must be registered with JKM under the Child Care Centre Act 1984 (Act 308). The malaysia.gov.my page says nothing about special rules for foreign children, so ask the taska directly.
• An unregistered operator can be prosecuted; check the registration before you place your child there.

Be careful

• Do not pay the full registration fee before you see the taska's registration certificate or the school's admission letter.
• Ask for a written receipt.

FAQ

Can a foreign worker's child enter a government school? According to the MOE page, children of workers in manufacturing, construction, cleaning and domestic work are not eligible. Eligible categories include children of certain Employment Pass holders and permanent residents. Confirm with the PPD.

How do I check that a taska is registered? Check the JKM, KEMAS and JPNIN lists, as described on malaysia.gov.my.

What is the government school fee for a non-citizen child? RM120 a year (primary) and RM240 a year (secondary), paid before admission.

When does the 2027 school session start in Johor? 4 January 2027, ending 3 December 2027 (Group B).

Where do I apply? At the PPD or JPN using form P.U.(A) 275. For Year 1 and Form 1, the application window is 1 October to 30 November.

See also birth certificates for foreign workers' children and year-end 2026 travel and school reopening.

Sources

• FMT, Sarawak assembly: non-citizen children still eligible for government schools (14 Oct 2026)
• Bernama (14 Oct 2026)
• The Vibes, MoE to review school admission rules (14 June 2023)
• MOE School Management Sector, Non-citizen pupils
• FMT, 2027 school session starts 4 Jan (2 Oct 2026)
• Malaysiakini/Bernama, RM120/RM240 fee for non-citizen pupils (2018) (accessed 30 Oct 2026)
• malaysia.gov.my, Childcare centre (taska)

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