National Education Philosophy

Education in Malaysia is on-going efforts towards further developing the potential of

individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are
intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm
belief in and devotion to God.

Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and
competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving
high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and
betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large.

Mission
To develop a world-class quality education system which will realize the full potential of
the individual and fulfill the aspiration of the Malaysian nation? The National Education System
at school level under the government education institution category consists of:-

(a) Pre-School Education

Education programme for pupils of 4-6 years of age

(b) Primary Education

The course of study at the primary level planned for a duration
of six years but may be completed in five to seven years;
It consists of national schools or national-type schools

(c) Secondary Education

Consists of lower secondary education and upper secondary
education
Secondary education that is available consists of:
• academic schools
• technical and vocational schools
• religious national schools
(d) Post-Secondary Education
Education that is provided for individuals who have completed lower and upper secondary
education, but excludes higher education.
Schooling under the Government-aided Education Institution Category covers Fully
Residential Schools under the authority of the Fully Residential Schools Unit, School Division.
Other education institutions established at the school level are:-
• Special Education Schools under the responsibility of the Special Education Department.
• Sports Schools under the responsibility of the Sports Division.

Objectives
These are the objectives of Malaysia Education Philosophy:
-To produce loyal and united Malaysian.
-To produce happy, well mannered individuals who have faith, knowledge and vision
-To prepare the nation´s human resource for development needs.
-To provide educational opportunities for all Malaysians.

Characteristics
Education in Malaysia broadly consists of a set of stages which are:
-Pre-school
-Primary Education
-Secondary Education
-Tertiary Education
-Postgraduate

Pre-School
Attendance in a pre-school programme is not universal and generally only affluent
families can afford to send their children to private, for-profit pre-schools.The government has
no formal pre-school curriculum except a formal mandatory training and certification for
principals and teachers before they may operate a pre-school. The training covers lessons on
child psychology, teaching methodologies, and other related curricula on childcare and
development.Registered pre-schools are subjected to zoning regulations and must comply to
other regulations such as health screening and fire hazard assessment. Many preschools are
located in high density residential areas, where normal residences compliant to regulations from
the Welfare Ministry are converted into the schools. Some private schools have pre-school
sections. Other pre-school programmes are run by religious groups.
Primary
Primary education consists of six years of education, referred to as Year 1 to Year 6 (also
known as Standard 1 to Standard 6). Year 1 to Year 3 are classified as Level One (Tahap Satu in
Malay) while Year 4 to Year 6 are considered as Level Two (Tahap Dua). Primary education
begins at the age of 7 and ends at 12. Students are promoted to the next year regardless of their
academic performance.From 1996 until 2000, the Penilaian Tahap Satu (PTS) or the Level One
Evaluation was administered to Year 3 students. Excellence in this test allowed students to skip
Year 4 and attend Year 5 instead. However, the test was removed from 2001 onwards due to
concerns that parents and teachers were unduly pressuring students to pass the exam.

Secondary
Public secondary schools are regarded as extensions of the national schools. They study
in five forms. Each form will take a year. Some students, however, will have to study in
"Remove" before they can study in Form 1 because of the poor academic results, or simply
choosing to do so, which is possible in some schools. At the end of Form 3, the Penilaian
Menegah Rendah (PMR, formerly known as Sijil Pelajaran Rendah (SRP) or Lower Certificate
of Education (LCE)) or Lower Secondary Evaluation is taken by students. Based on choice, they
will be streamed into either the Science stream or Arts stream. The Science stream is generally
more desirable. Students are allowed to shift to the Arts stream from the Science stream, but
rarely vice-versa.

Unified Examination Certificate

After receiving primary education in national-type primary school, some students may
choose study in Chinese independent high school. In however, students take a standardized test
known as the UniChinese independent high schools fied Examination Certificate (UEC). UEC
has been run by the Dong Jiao Zhong (the association of Chinese school teachers and trustees)
since 1975.

The UEC is available in three levels: Vocational Unified Exam (UEC-V), UEC Junior
Middle Level (UEC-JML/JUEC) and Senior Middle Level (UEC-SML/SUEC). The syllabus and
examinations for the UEC-V and UEC-JML are only available in the Chinese language. The
UEC-SML has questions for mathematics, sciences (biology, chemistry and physics),
bookkeeping, accounting and commerce in both Chinese and English. The difficulty of UEC-
SML test papers is nearly equivalent to A-level except English.
Pre-University
After the SPM, students from public secondary school would have a choice of either
studying Form 6 or the matriculation (pre-university). If they are accepted to continue studying
in Form 6, they will also take the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia or Malaysian Higher
School Certificate examination (its British equivalent is the General Certificate of Education 'A'
Levels examination or internationally, the Higher School Certificate). Form 6 consists of two
years of study which is known as Lower 6 (Tingkatan Enam Rendah) and Upper 6 (Tingkatan
Enam Atas). The STPM is known to be more difficult than the GCE A levels, covering a broader
and deeper scope in syllabus. Although it is generally taken by those desiring to attend public
universities in Malaysia, it is internationally recognised and may also be used, though rarely
required, to enter private local universities for undergraduate courses.

Tertiary
Tertiary education in the public universities is heavily subsidised by the government.
Applicants to public universities must have completed the Malaysia matriculation programme or
have an STPM grade. Excellence in these examinations does not guarantee a place in a public
university.The selection criteria are largely opaque as no strictly enforced defined guidelines
exist.The classification of tertiary education in Malaysia is organised upon the Malaysian
Qualifications Framework (MQF) which seeks to set up a unified system of post secondary
qualifications offered on a national basis both in the vocational as well as higher educational
sectors.

Postgraduate Programmes
Postgraduate degrees such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) are becoming popular and are offered by both the
public universities and the private colleges.All public and most private universities in Malaysia
offer Master of Science degrees either through coursework or research and Doctor of Philosophy
degrees through research.
Vocational Programmes and Polytechnics Schools
Besides the university degrees, students also have the option of continuing their
education in professional courses such as the courses offered by the ICSA (Institute of Chartered
Secretaries and Administrators) etc. Polytechnics in Malaysia provide courses for diploma level
(3 years) and certificate level (2 years).

The following is a list of the public polytechnics in Malaysia.

• Ungku Omar Polytechnic
• Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah
• Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah
• Politeknik Kota Bharu
• Politeknik Kuching Sarawak
• Politeknik Port Dickson
• Politeknik Kota Kinabalu
• Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
• Politeknik Johor Bahru

National Curriculum
"... an educational programme that includes curriculum and co-curricular
activities which encompasses all the knowledge, skills norms, values, cultural
elements and beliefs to help develop a pupil fully with respect to the
physical, spiritual, mental and emotional aspects as well as to inculcate and
develop desirable moral values and to transmit knowledge"

Education Act 1996

[Education (National Curriculum) Regulation 1997]

Razak Report 1956 and Education Ordinance 1957 - Consolidation Period

• Formation of a single system of national education
• Recognition of the eventual objective of making Bahasa Malaysia the main medium of
instruction
• Commencement of a Malaysia-orientated curriculum
• Conception of a single system of evaluation for all
Rahman Talib Report and Education Act 1961 . Updating Period
• Stress on 3R basic education . reading, writing and arithmetic
• Stress on a strong spiritual education and the desired elements of discipline
• Stress on a Malaysian curriculum
• Upper secondary education of two streams, academic and vocational
• Opportunity to continue education from 9 years to 11 years
• Facilitation of education management procedures to improve the overall quality of
education

Features of 1979 Cabinet Report

• Stress on 3R basic education . reading, writing and arithmetic
• Stress on a strong spiritual education and the desired elements of discipline
• Stress on a Malaysian curriculum
• Upper secondary education of two streams, academic and vocational
• Opportunity to continue education from 9 years to 11 years
• Facilitation of education management procedures to improve the overall quality of
education

Education Bill 1995

• The national education system is designed to produce world-class education from the
aspect of quality to achieve the nation.s aspirations
• The National Education Policy becomes the base for the national education policy
• Duration of primary education is between 5 and 7 years
• Pre-school education is part of the national education system
• Technical and polytechnic education are upgraded
• Allocations are made for the supervision of private education

Education Directions
Educational Laws
1957 . Education Ordinance, 1957
1961 . Education Act, 1961
1963 . National Language Act 1963/67 (Revised . 1971)
1971 . University and University Colleges Act
1974 . Ungku Omar Polytechnic Act
1980 . Malaysian Examinations Council Act

Important Reports
1956 . Report of the Education Committee, 1956 (Razak Report)
1960 . Report of the Education Review Committee, 1960 (Rahman Talib
Report)
1967 . Higher Education Planning Committee Report
1973 . Committee Report on a Study of Views on Education and the
Community (Report on Dropouts)
1979 - Cabinet Committee Report on the Implementation of Education Policies
(Mahathir Report)
1991 . Cabinet Committee Report on Training

Bahasa Melayu in the System of Education

1957 . Compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools
1970 . Medium of instruction in Standard 1
1975 . All English Primary Schools were converted into National Primary
Schools
1976 . Medium of instruction in Form 1
1979 . Medium of instruction in Form VI, arts stream
1980 . Medium of instruction in Year 1 of arts faculty in universities
1981 . Medium of instruction in Form VI, science stream
1982 . Medium of instruction at all levels in schools
1983 . Medium of instruction for all courses in universities

Primary School Examinations

1957 . MSSEE (Malayan Secondary School Entrance Examination) was
introduced
1963 . MSSEE was abolished
1967 . PDL (Standard Five Assessment) was introduced
1973 . UDT (Standard Three Assessment) was introduced
1982 - UDT was abolished
1988 . PDL was abolished
1988 . UPSR (Primary School Assessment) was introduced

Secondary School Examinations

1957 . OSC (Overseas Cambridge School Certificate) was introduced
1957 . FMC (Federation of Malaya Certificate) was introduced
1957 . QT (Qualifying Test) was introduced
1960 . SRP (Sijil Rendah Pelajaran) was introduced
1961 . UK (Ujian Kelayakan) was introduced
1962 . SPPTM (Sijil Pelajaran Persekutuan Tanah Melayu) was introduced
1964 . SPPTM was abolished
1964 . FMC was abolished
1964 . MCE (Malaysian Certificate of Education) was introduced
1964 . SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) was introduced
1967 . Objective questions were introduced in SRP/LCE papers
1968 . OSC was abolished in Peninsular Malaysia
1969 . SPVM (Sijil Pelajaran Vokasional Malaysia) was introduced
1976 . Malay Language Examination (July) was introduced
1976 . MCE was taken over by the Examinations Syndicate
Administrative Members
1982 . HSC (Higher School Certificate Cambridge) was abolished
1982 . STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) was introduced after being
taken over
by the Malaysian Examinations Council
1983 - LCE Malay Oral Test was abolished
1983 . SRP English Oral Test was abolished
Minister of Education
1987 . SPVM certificate was converted to SPM(V)
1987 . SPM was held throughout Malaysia
1991 . KHPP (Kemahiran Hidup Program Peralihan) SRP was introduced
1992 . Final year for SRP
1993 . PMR (Penilaian Menengah Rendah) was introduced
1993 . SPM based on the KBSM (Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Menengah) was
introduced

Curriculum
1956 . General Syllabuses and Timetable Committee was formed
1964 . General Syllabuses andDato'
Y.B. Review Committee
Seri was formed
Hishammuddin bin Tun
1965 . Comprehensive Education was introduced
Hussein
1967 . Report of the Committee on Curriculum Planning and Development
1973 . Curriculum Development Centre (PPK) was established
1982 . KBSR trial run in 302 primary schools
Deputy Minister of Deputy Minister of Education
1983 . KBSR was implemented in all primary schools
Education I II
1988 . KBSR was fully implemented
1988 . Implementation of KBSM starting with language subjects
1989 . Implementation of KBSM for other subjects
1989 . Living Skills Programme for Remove Class was introduced in Form 1
1989 . Implementation of PKBS in Years 1 . 6 in all primary schools
1989 . Manipulative Skills was launched in 100 primary schools
1991 . Manipulative Skills was implemented in 1000 primary schools
1991 . Integrated Living Skills was introduced in Form 1
1992 . Manipulative Living Skills was implemented in 3000 primary schools
1993 . Living Skills was introduced in Year 4 in all primary schools.
Schools that had implemented Manipulative Skills expanded it simple
mentation to Years 5 and 6 of primary school.
1964 . Special Education Unit was established
1978 . Formation of Comprehensive Communication National
Committee
1981 . Inter-Ministry Committee for Special Education (Ministry
ofSocial Welfare / Ministry of Health / Ministry of Labour and
HumanResources and the
Ministry of Education as Chairman and secretary)
1984 .Y.B.
Committee
Dr. Ir. Wee
among
Ka Siong
Ministries for the Registration
Y.B. Dato'
and
Razali bin Ismail
Placement of Disabled Children
1984 . Formation of State Children Placement Committee
1984 . Shah Alam Vocational Special Education Secondary School
Curriculum
National Committee was formed
1985 . Formation of Braille Publishing and Printing Pioneer Unit,
Ministry of Education
1985 . National Welfare Services Council Meeting was formed
1985 . Ministry of Education Comprehensive Communication Co-
ordination Working Committee
1987 . Establishment of Shah Alam Special Education Secondary
School
1987 . Education of Children with Learning Disabilities
Implementation Committee
1988 . Directive of Y.B. Minister of Education to study the giving of
full aid to children with Slight Autism Behaviour
1989 . National Community Development Negotiation Council
1991 . National Advisory Board for the Education of Children with
Special Education Needs
1993 . Committee to study policies, planning, co-ordination
andimplementation of education for children with special education
needs