National Report on Development of Education, 1974-1976: Malaysia.

Overview & Synopsis

Education in Malaysia is discussed in terms of administration, structure, objectives, finances, and problems to be solved. Administration is the responsibility of the federal Ministry of Education in cooperation with individual state directors of education. Formal schooling consists of six years of primary, three years of lower secondary, two years of upper secondary, and two years of post secondary education. Colleges and universities provide up to six additional years. Primary education is free, noncompulsory, and follows a common syllabus. Lower secondary students are exposed to prevocational courses as well as academic subjects. In upper secondary school, students are separated into academic (arts or science) or technical/vocational groups. Bahasa Malaysia is the main language of instruction. Major educational objectives include promotion of cultural and national unity, provision of facilities for increasing enrollments, and correction of imbalance between urban and rural education. Amalgamation of small schools and development of residential science secondary schools are helping to meet these goals. The report also discusses teacher education and educational media services. (AV)