The Relationship The Relationship Between Education and Between Education and

Politics in MalaysiaPolitics in Malaysia

ByByNorazura AbdollahNorazura Abdollah

Nur Harizah Mohd faizNur Harizah Mohd faizNurhashimah Mohamad HashimNurhashimah Mohamad Hashim

Wan Nuruljannah Wan Ismail SahaimiWan Nuruljannah Wan Ismail Sahaimi

EDUCATION IN EDUCATION IN MALAYSIAMALAYSIA

PREPARED BY;PREPARED BY;

NORAZURA BT ABDOLLAHNORAZURA BT ABDOLLAH

Malaysia educational system is highly Malaysia educational system is highly centralisedcentralised, particularly for primary and , particularly for primary and secondary school, secondary school,

The state and local governments having little The state and local governments having little say in the curriculum or other major aspects of say in the curriculum or other major aspects of education. education.

Standardised tests are common feature.Standardised tests are common feature. obtained from government sponsored schools, obtained from government sponsored schools,

private schools or through home schooling. private schools or through home schooling.

Education in Malaysia broadly Education in Malaysia broadly consists of a set of stages:consists of a set of stages:

Pre- schoolPre- schoolPrimary educationPrimary educationSecondary educationSecondary educationTertiary educationTertiary educationpostgraduatepostgraduate

Pre-schoolPre-school

The government has no formal preschool The government has no formal preschool curriculum for pre- schoolers except a curriculum for pre- schoolers except a formal mandatory training and certification formal mandatory training and certification to principals and teachers before they can to principals and teachers before they can operate a pre-school.operate a pre-school.

Attendance in a pre-school programme is Attendance in a pre-school programme is not universal & generally only affluent not universal & generally only affluent families can afford to send their children to families can afford to send their children to private pre-schools.private pre-schools.

Primary EducationPrimary Education

Consists of six years of education (Year 1 Consists of six years of education (Year 1 to Year 6)to Year 6)

(1998- 2000) PTS was administered to (1998- 2000) PTS was administered to Year 3 students but was removed from Year 3 students but was removed from 2001 onwards.2001 onwards.

Year 6 students in national schools are Year 6 students in national schools are required to undergo a standardized test ; required to undergo a standardized test ; UPSR.UPSR.

The Primary Education System is The Primary Education System is divided into :divided into :

National school - SKNational school - SKVernacular schools -SRJK (C) and Vernacular schools -SRJK (C) and

SRJK (T)SRJK (T)

SECONDARY EDUCATIONSECONDARY EDUCATION

Consists of 5 years of schooling referred Consists of 5 years of schooling referred to as form 1 to form 5.to as form 1 to form 5.

Form 3 – PMR formerly known as SRPForm 3 – PMR formerly known as SRPForm 5 - SPMForm 5 - SPM

Shortly after the release of the 2005 SPM results in March 2006, the Education Ministry announced it was considering reforming the SPM system due towhat was perceived as over-emphasis on As

“The rat race now begins at Standard 6 with the UPSR, with the Competition resulting in parents forcing their children to attend

private tuition….”-A former Education Director-General, Murad Mohd Noor-He also expressed disappointment at the occurrence of

students taking 15 Or 16 subjects for the SPM, calling it ‘UNNECESSARY’

PRE-UNIVERSITYPRE-UNIVERSITY

FORM 6 – consists of 2 years of studies. Lower FORM 6 – consists of 2 years of studies. Lower 6 and Upper 6. internationally recognize and 6 and Upper 6. internationally recognize and generally taken by those desiring to attend a generally taken by those desiring to attend a public and private universities.public and private universities.

Matriculation – one or two years programme run Matriculation – one or two years programme run by Ministry of Education. A race based quota is by Ministry of Education. A race based quota is applied on the admission process.90%applied on the admission process.90%(bumiputeras) and 10%( non-bumiputeras)(bumiputeras) and 10%( non-bumiputeras)

Private colleges- British A Levels programme or Private colleges- British A Levels programme or the equivalent of other national systems.the equivalent of other national systems.

TERTIARY EDUCATIONTERTIARY EDUCATION

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES- are subsidised PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES- are subsidised by the government. by the government.

UM, USM, IIUM, UKM, UMS UNIMAS, UM, USM, IIUM, UKM, UMS UNIMAS, UPM, UTM, UUM, UPSI- open to all UPM, UTM, UUM, UPSI- open to all MalaysiansMalaysians

UiTM- are restricted; bumiputras only.UiTM- are restricted; bumiputras only.

PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES- Students pay full PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES- Students pay full tuition fees, most of the universities are formed tuition fees, most of the universities are formed by Government Link Companies (GLC ) e.g.: by Government Link Companies (GLC ) e.g.: MMU, UNITEN, UTP etc.MMU, UNITEN, UTP etc.

Delocalised universities- Monash University Delocalised universities- Monash University (Australia), Nottingham University (UK) etc.(Australia), Nottingham University (UK) etc.

Polytechnics- vocational, engineering Polytechnics- vocational, engineering programmes, commerce programmes. Offered programmes, commerce programmes. Offered diploma and certificates.diploma and certificates.

Racial quotas , a highly politicized and controversial issues in Malaysia; exist for university admission.

However, in 2002the government announced a reduction

of dependence on racial quotas, instead leaning

more towards MERITROCRACY .

POSTGRADUATE POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES

All public and most private universities in All public and most private universities in Malaysia offers Master degrees either Malaysia offers Master degrees either through coursework or research through coursework or research

and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees through and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees through research.research.

The Relationship The Relationship Between Education and Between Education and

Politics in MalaysiaPolitics in Malaysia

ByByNorazura AbdollahNorazura Abdollah

Nur Harizah Mohd faizNur Harizah Mohd faizNurhashimah Mohamad HashimNurhashimah Mohamad Hashim

Wan Nuruljannah Wan Ismail SahaimiWan Nuruljannah Wan Ismail Sahaimi

Educational Acts & Educational Acts & ReportsReports

1951 – Present day1951 – Present day

A Glimpse of History…A Glimpse of History…

Consolidation periodConsolidation period The Barnes Report 1951The Barnes Report 1951 The Abdul Razak Report 1956The Abdul Razak Report 1956 Education Ordinance 1957Education Ordinance 1957

Updating PeriodUpdating Period Rahman Talib Report 1960Rahman Talib Report 1960 Education Act 1961Education Act 1961

CurrentlyCurrently Education Act 1996Education Act 1996

Barnes Report 1951Barnes Report 1951

Aimed at abolishing vernacular schoolsAimed at abolishing vernacular schools

““In principle, we recommend the end of the In principle, we recommend the end of the separate vernacular schools for the several separate vernacular schools for the several racial communities, and the replacement by a racial communities, and the replacement by a single type of primary school common to single type of primary school common to all…”all…”

Abdul Razak Report Abdul Razak Report 19561956 Introduced after the ruling elite had acquired Introduced after the ruling elite had acquired

political power just before Merdekapolitical power just before Merdeka Conducive to the growth of vernacular educationConducive to the growth of vernacular education

“… “… a national system of education acceptable to the a national system of education acceptable to the people of the Federation as a whole which will people of the Federation as a whole which will satisfy the needs to promote their culture, social, satisfy the needs to promote their culture, social, economic and political development as a nation, economic and political development as a nation, having regard to the intention of making Malay the having regard to the intention of making Malay the national language of the country whilst preserving national language of the country whilst preserving and sustaining the growth of the language and and sustaining the growth of the language and culture of other communities living in the country.” culture of other communities living in the country.”

Education Ordinance Education Ordinance 19571957

The fine tuned version of the recommendations of The fine tuned version of the recommendations of the Abdul Razak reportthe Abdul Razak report

Formation of a single system of national educationFormation of a single system of national education

Recognition of the eventual objective of making Recognition of the eventual objective of making Bahasa Malaysia the main medium of instructionBahasa Malaysia the main medium of instruction

Commencement of a Malaysia-orientated curriculumCommencement of a Malaysia-orientated curriculum

Conception of a single system of evaluation for all Conception of a single system of evaluation for all

Rahman Talib Report 1960Rahman Talib Report 1960

1960’s education minister who headed a 1960’s education minister who headed a committee to:committee to:

““review the education policy set out in the review the education policy set out in the Abdul Razak Report 1956… in particular its Abdul Razak Report 1956… in particular its implementation so far and for the future…”implementation so far and for the future…”

Education Act 1961Education Act 1961 Stress on 3R basic education . reading, writing and Stress on 3R basic education . reading, writing and

arithmeticarithmetic

Stress on a strong spiritual education and the desired Stress on a strong spiritual education and the desired elements of disciplineelements of discipline

Stress on a Malaysian curriculumStress on a Malaysian curriculum

Upper secondary education of two streams, academic and Upper secondary education of two streams, academic and vocationalvocational

Opportunity to continue education from 9 years to 11 yearsOpportunity to continue education from 9 years to 11 years

Facilitation of education management procedures to Facilitation of education management procedures to improve the overall quality of education improve the overall quality of education

Education Act 1996Education Act 1996

Came into force in 1997, replacing the Came into force in 1997, replacing the 1961 Act1961 Act

Stress on science and technologyStress on science and technology

““[The world now is] a world that is highly [The world now is] a world that is highly competitive and globalised, arising from the competitive and globalised, arising from the impact of the rapid development in science, impact of the rapid development in science, technology and information.”technology and information.”

Content highlights...Content highlights...

The national education system is designed to The national education system is designed to produce world-class education from the aspect produce world-class education from the aspect of quality to achieve the nation’s aspirationsof quality to achieve the nation’s aspirations

The National Education Policy (NEP) becomes The National Education Policy (NEP) becomes the base for the national education policythe base for the national education policy

Duration of primary education is between 5 and Duration of primary education is between 5 and 7 years7 years

Pre-school education is part of the national Pre-school education is part of the national education systemeducation system

Technical and polytechnic education are Technical and polytechnic education are upgradedupgraded

Allocations are made for the supervision of Allocations are made for the supervision of private educationprivate education

Effect on education after Effect on education after the NEP –the NEP –

New Economic PolicyNew Economic Policy

The Quota SystemThe Quota System

The quota system has been the concrete The quota system has been the concrete form of the national education policyform of the national education policy

In 2003 the quota system was removedIn 2003 the quota system was removed

and replaced by…and replaced by…

What is meritocracy?What is meritocracy?

mer·i·toc·ra·cy (n). pl. mer·i·toc·ra·cies mer·i·toc·ra·cy (n). pl. mer·i·toc·ra·cies

A system in which A system in which advancement is advancement is based on individual ability or based on individual ability or achievementachievement

(from: dictionary.com)(from: dictionary.com)

Hot Issue…Hot Issue…

What is your opinion onWhat is your opinion on

The Quota SystemThe Quota System

VsVs

MeritocracyMeritocracy

ANNUAL ANNUAL BUDGETBUDGET

20072007

ANNUAL BUDGET (2007)ANNUAL BUDGET (2007)

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

21%21%

(RM 34.4 billion)(RM 34.4 billion)

ACQUISITIONOF

KNOWLEDGE

NURTURINGINNOVATION

PERSONAL PERSONAL BENEFITSBENEFITS

YEAR SIX STUDENTYEAR SIX STUDENT

Increased monthly allowance for Increased monthly allowance for poor primary pupils from RM30 to poor primary pupils from RM30 to RM50RM50

Two new MRSMs and existing Two new MRSMs and existing MRSM facilities upgraded MRSM facilities upgraded (RM90mil)(RM90mil)

Scholarships for potential athletesScholarships for potential athletes

FORM TWO STUDENTFORM TWO STUDENT

No exam fees next year (UPSR, No exam fees next year (UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM)PMR, SPM and STPM)

Increased monthly allowance for Increased monthly allowance for poor secondary students from poor secondary students from RM50 to RM70RM50 to RM70

Chinese and Tamil taught as Chinese and Tamil taught as subjects in 220 schools next yearsubjects in 220 schools next year

More computers (RM288mil) and More computers (RM288mil) and books in schoolsbooks in schools

FORM FIVE STUDENTFORM FIVE STUDENT

More scholarshipsMore scholarshipsFor poor students with at least 10 1As For poor students with at least 10 1As

in SPMin SPMFor critical subjectsFor critical subjects

More polytechnics and community More polytechnics and community colleges (RM450mil)colleges (RM450mil)

Better facilities in existing Better facilities in existing universities (RM195mil)universities (RM195mil)

NON-GRADUATE NON-GRADUATE TEACHERTEACHER

More housing for teachers (67 new More housing for teachers (67 new projects)projects)

Eligible for professional Eligible for professional development programmes development programmes (RM838mil)(RM838mil)

Tax rebate for book purchases up to Tax rebate for book purchases up to RM1,000 annuallyRM1,000 annually

TRAINEE TEACHERTRAINEE TEACHER

220 new primary and secondary 220 new primary and secondary schools to teach in (RM1bil)schools to teach in (RM1bil)

Specialised schools to teach inSpecialised schools to teach inScience and technologyScience and technologyTechnical and vocationalTechnical and vocationalLanguage and artsLanguage and artsSportsSports

Opportunities to specialise in Opportunities to specialise in special educationspecial education

UNEMPLOYED GRADUATEUNEMPLOYED GRADUATE

More opportunities to upgrade More opportunities to upgrade industry skills viaindustry skills viaSecurities Commission’s Capital Market Securities Commission’s Capital Market

Training Scheme (1,000 places Training Scheme (1,000 places annually)annually)

Training by established ICT companiesTraining by established ICT companiesJob Camp programme by MDeC (1,000 Job Camp programme by MDeC (1,000

places annually)places annually)

Programme to Enhance Professionalism Programme to Enhance Professionalism (5,000 places annually)(5,000 places annually)

Six new training institutions under Six new training institutions under Human Resource Ministry (RM148mil)Human Resource Ministry (RM148mil)

MARA training programmes MARA training programmes (RM214mil)(RM214mil)

GENERAL GENERAL BENEFITSBENEFITS

More scholarships More scholarships to pursue critical to pursue critical courses such as courses such as science, pharmacy, science, pharmacy, medicine and medicine and engineering at engineering at graduate and post-graduate and post-graduate levels in graduate levels in both local and both local and foreign foreign universities.universities.

Terengganu & Terengganu & Kelantan will get Kelantan will get their own their own universities. More universities. More polytechnics & polytechnics & community colleges community colleges will be built and will be built and upgraded. Existing upgraded. Existing universities will universities will receive RM195mil receive RM195mil for the upgrading for the upgrading of their facilities.of their facilities.

RM6.7bil is RM6.7bil is allocated for allocated for primary education primary education and RM6.2bil for and RM6.2bil for secondary secondary education to fund education to fund operational and operational and development development expenditure.expenditure.

22 new primary 22 new primary and secondary and secondary schools to be schools to be opened next year, opened next year, with the with the construction of an construction of an additional 198 additional 198 schools, including schools, including fully residential fully residential secondary schools.secondary schools.

RM288mil is RM288mil is allocated under allocated under the the Bestari Bestari school school programme to programme to equip schools with equip schools with more computers.more computers.

Chinese will be Chinese will be taught as a full taught as a full subject in 150 subject in 150 national primary national primary and secondary and secondary schools while Tamil schools while Tamil as a full subject will as a full subject will be taught in 70 be taught in 70 schools from the schools from the beginning of 2007.beginning of 2007.

QUANTITATIVE vs QUANTITATIVE vs QUALITATIVEQUALITATIVE