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{71084F8A-E8F3 http://thestar.co WEEK 2 : ISL

Published: Wednesday March 20, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM

Updated: Wednesday April 24, 2013 MYT 1:36:27 PM

Malaysias education system is

fast becoming worlds best

SIRA HABIBU

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian education system is on track to

becoming among the worlds best as stringent monitoring is in

place to ensure its success under the Government

Transformation Plan (GTP).

The rate of improvement of the system in the last 15 years isamong the fastest in the world, the GTP report said.

Malaysia also ranks among the top in the world for equitable

access to education.

However, Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said there

was still a long way to go before Malaysia could justly claim thatits education system was at par with the worlds best.

But the Government is committed to transforming it to be among

the best in the region, he said.

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The targets of GTP 2.0 include achieving 92% enrolment at pre-

schools; scoring international average in Programme for

International Student Assessment (Pisa) and Trends in

International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS); and

reducing urban-rural achievement gaps by 25%.

The initiatives under GTP encompasses changes aimed at three-

foot horizon, which would form the first wave of change towards

the overall goals of the 12-year Malaysian Education Blueprint.

Four key initiatives under GTP 1.0 include improving access to

quality early childhood education, Literacy and Numeracy

Screening Programme (Linus), implementing high- performing

schools and school improvement programmes, and implementing

new deals for principals and headmasters.

The initiatives aim to immediately arrest the decline in student

outcomes and to establish a foundation for future improvements

within the education sector.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/03/20/Malaysias-education-system-is-fast-becoming-

worlds-best.aspx

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Malaysian EducationEducation System of Malaysia

An OverviewEducation is the responsibility of the Government and it is committed to providing asound education to all. The Malaysian education system encompasses educationbeginning from pre-school to university. Pre-tertiary education (pre-school to secondaryeducation) is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (MOE) while tertiary orhigher education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). Thevision of the Government is to make Malaysia a centre of educational excellence.

Primary and Secondary EducationPrimary education (a period of 6 years) and secondary education (5 years which

encompasses 3 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary) make up 11years of free education.

The admission age to the first year of primary education is seven. Primary schooling ismandatory for all children between the ages of 7 and 12. Students sit for commonpublic examinations at the end of primary, lower secondary and upper secondary levels.

Post-secondary EducationUpon completion of secondary education, students can opt to pursue 1 to 2 yearsofpost-secondary education. This is the university entrance preparatory course. In total,the 12 years of school education serves as the basic entry requirement into Year One of

a bachelors degree programme in higher educational institutions.

Tertiary EducationAt tertiary education level, institutions of higher learning offer courses leading to theawards of certificate, diploma, first degree and higher degree qualifications (atacademic and professional fields). The duration of study for a basic bachelor degree

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programme is 3 years and the courses of study at this level are provided by both thepublic and private education sectors, attracting many international students.

Tertiary education providers consist of two major groups :

Public (government-funded) institutions of higher learning, for example, publicuniversities, polytechnics, community colleges and teacher training institutes.

Private (private-funded) higher educational institutions (PHEIs), for example,private universities, private university colleges, foreign branch campusuniversities and private colleges.

Government-funded Educational InstitutionsThe Government provides more than 95% of primary and secondary education as wellas about 60% of the tertiary education, with the private sector providing the balance.

Private-funded Educational InstitutionsThe private education providers in Malaysia can be broadly grouped into 2 categories,

depending on the levels of education offered, ranging from pre-school to tertiaryeducation. These two categories of private institutions are :

Private Educational Institutions (PEIs) which provide education at preschool,primary and secondary levels. They comprise private schools and foreign systemschools.

Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) which provide tertiary educationleading to the awarding of certificate, diploma and degree qualifications.

http://www.mohe.gov.my/educationmsia/education.php?article=system

http://www.mohe.gov.my/educationmsia/education.php?article=systemhttp://www.mohe.gov.my/educationmsia/education.php?article=systemhttp://www.mohe.gov.my/educationmsia/education.php?article=system