According to Vision 2020, education in Malaysia is the country’s top priority in an effort to become a developed nation worldwide. When National Mission was introduced, the policy was meant to push Malaysia forward in implementing second phase of Vision 2020 which is related to education.
There are basically two key thrusts under National Mission that ties education indirectly with this policy – increase capacity for knowledge and innovation while cultivating ‘first class mentality’ and also to address socio-economic inequalities. In order to achieve and accomplish such key thrusts, education is the key to obtain necessary skills and knowledge in order to bring positive changes in science, technology and information.
Currently, younger generation in Malaysia must at least complete secondary school before making their decision whether to further their studies in local colleges or universities or simply discontinue. Early childhood education begins as young as four years old. These kids are required to attend pre-schools established by government, non-government agencies or even private sector. Previously, it was not compulsory to send kids between these ages to pre-schools but nevertheless, realizing the importance of pre-schools, government introduced pre-school curriculum and made it compulsory for all since 2003.
After completing two years of pre-school, kids can now progress to the next stage – primary education. Government provides free primary education for our citizens. There are two types of public schools in Malaysia – national schools and national-type schools. In national schools, national language (Bahasa Melayu) is the medium of instruction while the medium of instruction for national-type Chinese and Tamil schools are Mandarin and Tamil.
All the schools in the country are using the same syllabus for non-language subjects such as Geography, Moral Studies, History, Mathematics and Science. In 2003, government decided to change the medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics in English for all types of schools in Malaysia. However, Science and Mathematics are taught in both English and Chinese in Chinese schools due to pressure from the community to retain their mother tongue. Less than 10 years after the implementation of this policy, government switched and reversed the policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in English.
One must spend six years in primary school from Year 1 to 6 and sit for Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) before going to secondary school. Several subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris, Mathematics and Science are tested in UPSR. Over the years, some said primary education is too exam-oriented.
Upon completing six years of primary education, students are required to spend five years to study in public secondary schools. Similar to primary schools, there are national schools and national-type of schools. Therefore, some regarded secondary schools as extension of primary schools. In several national-type schools, students must first spend an additional year to study ‘Remove’ should they perform badly in UPSR.
At the end of Form 3, students must sit for Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) before furthering their studies in Form 4 onwards either by choosing Science or Arts Stream. After studying two years in either Science or Arts Stream, students are required to sit for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Parents and academicians commented that Malaysian education system is too exam-oriented and the rat race usually begins during UPSR. Students compete against one another by taking into consideration the number of As obtained.
Finally, students can choose to pursue Form 6, matriculation programmes or diploma-level programmes offered by various private and public colleges and polytechnics before entering universities and job market.