Preliminary-Blueprint-Eng

A-1
Appendix i: A Brief History of education in
Malaysia
An excerpt from “Education in Malaysia: A Journey to Excellence,” 2008, Ministry of Education, Malaysia.
Since independence, education in Malaysia has undergone tremendous changes and
development. From a diverse and fragmented system of education based upon communal
needs, it has evolved into an education system that strives to build a united nation
according to the Malaysian mould. Malaysia aims to produce a competitive society that is
strong, united and resilient in facing challenges and adversity.
Pre-IndePendence:
educatIon durIng the BrItIsh
occuPancy (1824 to 1957)
Prior to attaining independence from the British in 1957, there was
an absence of uniformity in the provision of education. Each ethnic
group established its own school. Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil
schools used their respective medium of instruction, curricula, books
and teachers. Children of different ethnic background could only
study together in the English schools. Teachers for the Chinese and
Tamil schools were brought in from China and India respectively while
local Malays were recruited to teach in Malay schools. At that time,
education was focused on maintaining loyalty towards the country of
origin. As a result, segregation existed among the ethnic groups.
Post IndePendence:
educatIon durIng Post-
IndePendence (1957 to 1970)
Prior to independence, there was awareness amongst the leaders
and the locals for the need to replace the education systems left
behind by the colonists with one common education system for all.
This awareness resulted in the Razak Report 1956. The Education
Committee Report 1956 established an education system that
incorporated national characteristics and guaranteed a place in schools
for all children regardless of their ethnicity or religion. The education
policies outlined in the Razak Report were the foundation for the
formulation of a national education system that placed high emphasis
on national unity. (See Exhibit I-1 for a list of major education reports).
In 1960, a Review Committee looked into the implementation of
recommendations made by the Razak Report. The findings of this
committee, commonly known as the Rahman Talib Report, confirmed
the educational policy in the Razak Report and its general acceptance
by the public. The recommendations of these two reports became the
integral components of the Education Act 1961. In January 1976, the
Act was extended to Sabah and Sarawak, which had been incorporated
into the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
Exhibit i-1
List of Important Education Committee Reports
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Barnes Report 1951
Fenn-Wu Report 1951
Razak Report 1956
Rahman Talib Report 1960
Higher Education Committee Report 1967
Dropout Report 1973
Cabinet Committee Report 1979
Cabinet Committee Report on Training 1991