EDM 616: COMPARATIVE EDUCATION (Assignment)

MARJORIE A. PATAL
Ph. D. in Educational Management

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF MALAYSIA

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Discuss the development of the educational system of Malaysia based on the reports
presented?
A decade before the end of the British rule, the educational system in Malaya was
reorganized along the lines of the Barnes Report of 1951. Up to that point of time, Malaya's
educational system lacked uniformity in curriculum and an articulated rationale for a policy which
would be relevant to the political and socio-economic goals of the people. The Barnes Report
recommended a national school system, which would provide primary education for 6 years in
Malaya and English. It recommended a common curriculum for all schools, hoping that a national
school system would evolve.
In 1955, two years before Malaya's independence, the Razak Report endorsed the concept
of a national education system based on Malay (the national language), being the main medium
of instruction. The Razak Report revealed an intention to follow the American model. The Razak
Report recommended two types of secondary schools: those using Malay as the medium of
instruction to be called "national schools" while those using Chinese, Tamil or English were to be
designated "national-type schools."
The emphasis on high-tech economy and education shifted the government focus from the
practice of hand-picking individuals and businesses under the indigenous or Bumiputra policy to
introducing information technology at the level of the masses. At present, the Ministry of
Education in Malaysia developed the Malaysia Education Blueprint (MEB) 2013-2025 for a
sustainable transformation of the country's education system. It carefully sets out the fundamental
changes that are required in our current education system, making sure each aspect of learning is
accounted for.

COMPARATIVE EDUCATION Ph.D. Ed.M. Class

ESSAY PAPER Mid-Year Semester A.Y. 2020-2021
 2. Compare the Education Reform of Malaysia to the Education Reform of the Philippines. What
are the impacts of the reform to their educational system?
- New Primary School
Curriculum, often referred to as
KURIKULUM BARU SEKOLAH
RENDAH (KBSR).
-The Integrated Secondary
School Curriculum (referred to
as KBSM) was introduced.
- The school system is
structured on a 6+3+2+2
model.
-Primary and secondary
education fall under the
responsibility of the Ministry of
Education. The Ministry
of Higher Education is
responsible for higher
education.
Implications
These curriculum reforms raised issues and
controversies. brought about great concerns on
the part of the government for fear that the
vision of Malaysia becoming an industrialized
country may be jeopardized. Thus, the Ministry
of Education undertook measures to try to get
the children interested in science and
mathematics at an early age.
COMPARATIVE EDUCATION
ESSAY PAPER
-Both recognizes - Enhanced Basic Education
the “child-centered Act (EBEA, known as the K-12
curriculum”. law) or K-12 Reform
-Both have - The school system is
compulsory 6 structures on a K+6+4+2
years primary model.
education.
- DepEd is responsible in basic
-Both curriculum education which covers
aimed at improving elementary, secondary, and
the quality of non-formal education while
CHED being responsible for
education for all
higher education and TESDA
learners.
administering post-secondary,
middle-level manpower
training and
development.
Implications
Education reform in the Philippines aims for
better quality and more access. The focus is on
expanding access and ensuring more Filipinos
receive a decent basic education, as a means
of reducing poverty and improving national
competitiveness. the education system
continues to struggle with deep inequalities.
Quality also remains a concern. Addressing
these problems will require a continued
commitment to increased funding for education.
Ph.D. Ed.M. Class
Mid-Year Semester A.Y. 2020-2021