Application for Exemption from Mandatory Primary Education and Conducting Home Schooling

1. Policy Statement

Home Schooling Home Schooling is a method of home-based schooling provided to children who require it, such as those with chronic health problems requiring intensive care by parents/guardians. However, it is a privilege, not a right. Children are encouraged to attend regular school sessions because the teaching and learning processes conducted in schools enable them to interact with each other.

2. Objective

2.1 To provide an opportunity for children experiencing chronic health problems requiring intensive care by parents/guardians to receive formal education at home.

2.2 To ensure that children do not miss out on compulsory education as prescribed in the Education Act 1996.

2.3 To educate parents on their responsibility to ensure their child is enrolled in school throughout the compulsory education period.

3. Implementation of Policy

3.1 Education Act 1996 (Act 550)

Subsection 29A(2) of the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) provides that "the Minister may, if deemed necessary and in the interest of the student or the public to do so," by order published in the Gazette, exempt any student or group of students from the requirement to attend compulsory education, either absolutely or subject to any conditions deemed fit and may, at any time in his discretion, revoke the exemption or revoke or amend the conditions.

3.2 Circular Letter Ikhtisas No. 14/2002: Implementation of Compulsory Education at the Lower Level 2003 dated November 27, 2002.

• • • • Guidelines for the Implementation of Compulsory Education at the Lower Level for the year 2003.

3.3 Circular Letter Ikhtisas No. 2/2005: Guidelines for Processing Applications for Exemption from Compulsory Education at the Lower Level dated May 31, 2005.

4. Implementation Method

4.1Applications for Home Schooling can be made through the State Education Departments across the country using provided forms.

4.2Cases requesting exemption from compulsory education and conducting schooling at home (Home Schooling) are referred to the Director-General of Education Malaysia (KPPM) for evaluation and then submitted to the Minister of Education for a decision.

4.3 In general, the requirements are as follows :

• • • • The applicant must be a Malaysian citizen;
      • The applicant must have teaching qualifications;
      • One parent must be willing to become a full-time teacher to the child at home;
      • The national curriculum must be used;
      • The ability to provide a conducive and complete educational infrastructure for teaching and learning purposes;
      • Home visits by officers from the Ministry of Education Malaysia, State Education Departments, and District Education Offices to ensure the suitability of the Home Schooling infrastructure Home Schooling;
      • The applicant must allow officers from the Ministry of Education Malaysia, State Education Departments, or District Education Offices to visit the home at any time during school days for monitoring the teaching and learning process;
      • Children granted Home Schooling are not allowed to attend either private or government daily tuition classes; and
      • If it is found that the applicant violates the conditions contained in the approval granted by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the approval shall be revoked, and the child must be immediately re-enrolled in school

5. Effective Date

The Home Schooling policy became effective Home Schooling on 28 Jun 2003.