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Historical Overview

Razak Statement 1956 and Education Ordinance 1957 - Era of Consolidation

  • Establishment of a national education system.
  • Recognition of the ultimate goal for Bahasa Malaysia to be the primary language of instruction.
  • Introduction of a curriculum oriented to the Malaysian environment.
  • Creation of a uniform examination system.

Rahman Talib Report and Education Act 1961 - Era of Update

  • Emphasis on the foundational 3M education (reading, writing, and arithmetic).
  • Strengthening of spiritual education and desired disciplinary elements.
  • Emphasis on the Malaysian-style curriculum.
  • Introduction of two streams in upper secondary education: academic and vocational.
  • Opportunities to extend schooling from 9 to 11 years.
  • Improvement of education management procedures to enhance overall education quality.

Characteristics of the 1979 Cabinet Report

  • Similar emphasis on the foundational 3M education.
  • Reinforcement of spiritual education and desired disciplinary elements.
  • Continued emphasis on the Malaysian-style curriculum.
  • Maintenance of the two streams in upper secondary education: academic and vocational.
  • Continuation of schooling from 9 to 11 years.
  • Streamlining education management procedures to enhance overall education quality.

Education Act 1965

  • Shaping the national education system to produce world-class quality education to achieve national aspirations.
  • The philosophy of national education is the foundation for national education policy.
  • Duration of primary education is between 5-7 years.
  • Preschool education is integrated into the national education system.
  • Improvement of technical education and polytechnics.
  • Provision made to regulate private education.

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