WEEK 10 : REFORMATION OF EDUCATION 1980s

THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

VISI > Pendidikan Berkualiti, Insan Terdidik, Negara Sejahtera

MISI > Melestarikan Sistem Pendidikan yang Berkualiti untuk membangunkan Potensi
Individu bagi Memenuhi Aspirasi Negara
MOE : YB Puan Fadhlina Sidek

Key Elements of the National Philosophy of Education

1. Focus on the overall growth of students, including their intellectual, emotional,

spiritual, physical development
2. Promotes an integrated and balanced approach to education
3. The NPE encourages lifelong learning, recognizing that education is a continuous
process that extends beyond formal schooling
4. Aims to produce human capital that is competent, skilled, competitive in the global
economy
5. Places a strong emphasis on developing individuals who are not only academically
proficient but also morally and ethically responsible

ROLE OF NATIONAL EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

Role of Teachers Role of Students How it Influences Schools

Teachers guide and support Students are encouraged to Schools design curricula that
students in their learning process participate actively in their balance academic subjects with
learning by asking questions moral, spiritual, physical
and engaging in discussions education

Teachers exemplify good moral Students work together with Schools create environments that
and ethical behavior others, fostering teamwork promote respect, tolerance and
and mutual understanding understanding among students

Integrate spiritual and moral Show respect for teachers, Activities outside the classroom to
lessons into their teaching, helping peers and the school support students’ holistic
students develop strong values environment development including sports and
arts
 INTEGRATED EDUCATION

- In Chinese, the word “integrated” literally means putting different cultures together,
based on positive moral concepts

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE ASPECT ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Combining various subject and learning Definition Combining islamic teachings with
methods to create a comprehensive secular subjects to provide a balanced
education education

To develop well-rounded individuals with a Objectives To produce knowledgeable individuals

broad understanding of multiple disciplines who can apply Islamic teachings in all
to prepare them for higher education and aspects of life
career success To develop individuals who are both
academically proficient and spiritually
grounded

Includes sciences, humanities, arts, Curriculum Incorporates Quranic studies, Hadith,

physical education and vocational training Fiqh along with secular subjects

Based on Whitehead’s philosophy of Source Based on revealed knowledge :

education​ Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah​

ASPECTS TO ESTABLISH INTEGRATED EDUCATION

1. Balanced Curriculum where it includes both secular and religious subjects,

ensuring students receive a well-rounded education
2. Must hire Qualified Teachers who are knowledgeable in both secular and Islamic
studies and can integrate these seamlessly
3. The Department of Curriculum Development plays a vital role to prepare the
textbook required as reading materials for the Integrated Education curriculum
4. The co-curriculum activities have its own value in promote development in
knowledge, skills, experience, and personality of the students
 INTEGRATED CURRICULUM SECONDARY SCHOOL (ICSS/KBSM)

- Was introduced in the 1980s by the government to build a well-established

curriculum for all secondary school
- KBSM was introduced in line with National Education Philosophy (NEP/FPK)

OBJECTIVES
- Develop students in a balanced way, including intellectually, emotionally, physically
and spiritually
- Equip students with necessary knowledge and skills for the modern world
- Instill good values and ethics in students

STRUCTURE OF KBSM
- The mandatory subjects include subjects like Malay Language, English,
Mathematics, Science, History, and Islamic Education or Moral Education
- Students can choose elective subjects based on their interests and career
aspirations, such as additional languages, technical subjects, and arts
- Includes activities outside the classroom like sports, clubs, and community service
are also part of the curriculum to ensure holistic development

CHARACTERISTICS
1. Integrated Learning : Subjects are taught in a way that integrates different fields of
knowledge, making learning more interconnected and relevant
2. Student-Centered : Focuses on the needs and interests of students, encouraging
active participation and engagement in learning
3. Critical Thinking : Emphasizes the development of critical thinking and
problem-solving skills
4. Moral Education : Strong emphasis on moral and ethical education to develop
well-rounded individuals.

MODIFICATION OF KBSM SYLLABUS

1. Curriculum Content
- Inclusion of ICT into the syllabus to enhance digital literacy to fulfil Vision 2020
- Subjects like Science and Mathematics have been updated to include recent
advancements and discoveries
- Introduction of subjects such as TMK/RBT which focus on practical and technical
skills

2. Greater emphasis on teaching methods that promote active learning, critical

thinking and problem-solving skills and encourage students to engage in projects that
require research, collaboration and real-world application of knowledge

3. Special modifications to better accommodate students with special needs,

ensuring an inclusive learning environment and ensuring the curriculum is culturally
sensitive and promotes respect for diversity
 WEEK 11 : EDUCATION REFORMS IN 1990s

EDUCATION ACT 1996s

1. Structure of Education
- Establishment of Preschool Education as it recognize the importance of early
childhood education and incorporated it into the national education system
- For Primary and Secondary Education, they standardized curriculum and exams
for primary (6 years) and secondary education (5 years)
- Strengthen the role of universities and colleges, promoting higher education and
lifelong learning

2. Language of Instruction
- Emphasized the use of Bahasa Malaysia as the main medium of instruction while
also promoting the learning of English and other languages

3. Curriculum and Assessment

- Introduce a national curriculum that is more holistic
- Standardized national exams at the end of primary (UPSR), lower secondary (PT3),
upper secondary (SPM)

4. Technical and Vocational Education

- Promoted technical and vocational education to cater to the diverse needs of
students and the economy

IMPACT OF THE REFORMS

- Increased accessibility led to higher enrollment rates at all levels of education

- Standardized curricula and better-trained teachers improved the quality of education
- A more educated workforce contributed to economic growth and development
- Strengthen the role of national language (Bahasa Malaysia)
 EDUCATION ACT 1961 VS EDUCATION ACT 1996

1961 ASPECT 1996

Not written, unclear Platform & Vision Based on philosophy of education and
‘WAWASAN 2020’

Only covers the few levels of education National Education Covers all levels of education in
System schools and institution under the
national education system (except
private schools)

National language as a medium Position of National National language as main medium of

instruction in PS and SS only Language instruction in all educational institutions
in the National Education system

Allocation does not exist as well as National Curriculum Used by all schools in the National
exams Education System

2 Conditions : Subject of Chinese & 1 Condition :

1) If there has request from parents of Tamil Languages If there has request from parents of 15
15 pupils and above pupils and above
2) If reasonable and practical to do

1) Fully aided (gov & non-gov) Category of School 1) Government

2) Private and Institution 2) Government-aided
3) Private

Unclear Pre-school Give chance of pre-school education

for the poor and needy

Providing a six-year course of primary Duration for Primary Primary education designed for
education Education and After duration of six years but may
Secondary completed within five to seven years
Education After secondary, can continue for form
6, matric or higher education

Compulsory if there has request from 15 Teaching Islam Compulsory subject in all school
students and above including private (if there has req from 5
and above students)
 CORPORATIZATION OF EDUCATION

- Corporatization refers to the restructuring or transformation of a state-owned asset

or organization into a corporation

1. The process where educational institutions, particularly universities, are more

managed and operated more like businesses
2. Universities are structured similarly to corporations with boards of directors, CEOs,
vice chancellors etc
3. Instead of relying solely on gov, universities seek additional revenue through tuition
fees, research grants and partnerships
4. Universities compete to attract more students, often by improving facilities, offering
more courses, and enhancing their reputation

ADVANTAGES

- More funding sources that can lead to better facilities, more research opportunities
and improved education quality
- Compete globally that can drive universities to meet higher educational standard
- Universities can quickly adapt to changing market demands, offering new courses
and programs that align with job market demands

DISADVANTAGES

- With a focus on revenue, tuition fees often increase, making education less
affordable for many and leads to debt
- There may be more contract-based employment, leading to job insecurity for
academic and administrative staff
- The focus on profitability can sometimes overshadow the primary educational
mission, leading to decisions that prioritize financial gain over academic quality
 PRIVATIZATION OF EDUCATION

- The process of transfer assets, management, functions or responsibilities relate to

education previously owned or carried out by the state to private sectors
- Started in 1970 when only an average of 1/3 students got an offer to further their
studies in public universities due to the economic crisis
- In 1998, 5 public universities were given greater institutional autonomy to generate
revenue through research contracts, consulting, business ventures with industry and
other forms of investment

TYPES OF PRIVATE EDUCATION

1. Private Schools
- International School : follow international curricula like IB, IGCSE
- Ex : International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)
- Independent Private Schools : follow the Malaysian national curriculum but are
privately funded
- Ex : Sri KDU Schools

2. Private Universities/Colleges : Taylor’s Universities/KDU College

3. Private Religious Schools : combine religious and national/international curriculum

- Ex : Al-Amin International School

4. Private Tuition Centers : Kumon Malaysia/Pusat Tuisyen Kasturi

ADVANTAGES

- They often focus on niche areas and provide specialized training that may not be
available in public universities
- They have modern facilities and resources due to investments from private resources

DISADVANTAGES

- Higher costs so it limits the access for lower-income families

- Some private institutions may prioritize profits and neglects their academic matter
- Ensuring consistent educational standards across private institutions can be
challenging without strong regulatory oversight
 COMMODIFICATION OF EDUCATION

- Commodification is derived from the word ‘commodity’, which literally means

anything that can be bought and sold​or traded in the market

1. Education is treated as service or product that institutions provide to students who

are seen as customers
2. The primary goal becomes generating revenue, often leading to a focus on financial
outcomes over educational quality
3. Educational institutions compete with each other to attract students and funding
4. Curricula mainly formulated to satisfy students as consumers, rather than treating
them as potential bearer of knowledge
5. Happened because of the over commercialized of higher education and the high
demand of universities

ADVANTAGES

- Private investment can lead to improved facilities, technology and resources for
students
- Standardized testing and performance metrics can help ensure that educational
institutions maintain certain quality standards
- Programs can be developed to meet current job market demands, ensuring students
acquire relevant skills

DISADVANTAGES

- Higher tuition fees can make education less accessible and lead students to debt
- Some private institutions may prioritize profits and neglects their academic matter
- Teachers and staff may face job insecurity and increased workloads as institutions
drive for efficiency
 INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) / SMART SCHOOLS

- Use of systems such as computers and telecommunications for storing, retrieving

and sending information

1. The earlier effort was to teach computer literacy to familiarize students with
computers. The Ministry of Education decided to incorporate computing across the
subjects
2. Many schools are equipped with smart classrooms like interactive whiteboards,
projectors, internet
3. Platforms such as Google Classroom, Ms teams, Zoom are used for online learning
and assignment submissions
4. Students and teachers have access to digital libraries with a vast array of e-books,
journals and other resources

ADVANTAGES

- Makes learning more enjoyable and more engaging, and students can access
educational materials anytime and anywhere
- Personalized learning paths can be created to cater to individual student needs
- ICT facilitates lifelong learning opportunities through online courses and resources
- Use of technology fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills

DISADVANTAGES

- Not all students have access to reliable internet or digital devices

- Implementing ICT infrastructure can be expensive as regular maintenance and
updates of ICT tools are necessary
- Concerns about cybersecurity and the protection of student data
- Teachers need adequate training to effectively integrate ICT into their teaching
practices
 GLOBALIZATION OF EDUCATION

- Develop or operate worldwide. It can be described as a process by which the people

of the world are unified into a single society and function together
- The process where the education system becomes more integrated by global
standards, practices and policies

1. Internationalization of Curriculum
- Malaysian educational institutions adopt curricula that align with international
standards
- Ex : IB (International Baccalaureate) program in several Malaysian schools
- English is often used alongside Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction to
prepare students for global communication and opportunities

2. Foreign Institutions and Campuses

- Many renowned foreign universities have established branch campuses in Malaysia
to provide them access to international education without leaving the country, like
University of Nottingham, Monash University Malaysia
- Or twinning programs, where they finish a part of their studies in Malaysia and the
rest abroad like Taylors have with UK, Aus, USA

3. Cultural Exchange and Collaboration

- Universities and schools in Malaysia participate in student and staff exchange
programs with institutions worldwide. These exchanges promote cultural
understanding and collaboration in research and development.

4. Global Research Collaboration

- Malaysian universities collaborate with international institutions on research projects,
like UM collaborates with universities worldwide on research in fields like medicine,
engineering and env science

ADVANTAGES

- Adoption of international standards enhances the quality of education and ensures

that Malaysian graduates are competitive globally
- Students gain qualifications and skills that are recognized and valued globally,
improving their career prospects
- Collaboration on research projects enhance innovation and quality of research
outputs

DISADVANTAGES

- The cost of international education programs and foreign qualifications can be

prohibitive for some students
- Global curricula may not always align with local needs and context and causing
disconnect between education and local industry requirements
- Ensuring consistent quality across international and local programs can be
challenging