CHAPTER 1 1.0 Introduction - DSpace@UM - University of Malaya

To sum up, the researcher feels that the Japanese did not contribute anything to the
progress of the education system in Malaya. No Japanese words were assimilated into
the Malay language, perhaps it is because the people suffered alot during the Japanese
occupation. Fortunately, the Japanese occupation caused only a temporary set back in
our educational system. With determination and resolute we marched forward to
create a world class educational system in Malaya.
1.1.3 After Independence
Educational revolution in Malaysia took place from 1950s to the1980s (a short period
of four decades). Many educational reports and reviews were made and implemented.
The first committee on Malay education was formed in 1950 under L.J. Barnes to
improve the educational system for the Malays. The committee proposed to set up an
inter-racial bilingual national school with either English or Malay as the medium of
instruction. However, the report was not accepted by other communities. So, the
Colonial Administration appointed a Chinese educational committee in 1951 under
Dr. Fenn and Dr. Wu to prepare a report on Chinese schools in Malaya. The Fenn-Wu
report recommended preserving and improving Chinese schools; but this suggestion
was not accepted by the Malays. Therefore, central advisory committee of education
was formed to reconcile recommendations proposed by Barnes and Fenn-Wu reports.
The findings of the committee became the basis of education Ordinance, 1952. The
main features were
8