100% enrollment across all levels from preschool to upper secondary by 2020.
Understanding the current performance and challenges of the Malaysian education system, with a focus on improving access to education, raising standards (quality), closing achievement gaps (equity), fostering unity amongst students, and maximising system efficiency.
50% reduction in achievement gaps (urban-rural, socio-economic, and gender) by 2020.
An education system that promotes shared values and experiences by encouraging students to embrace diversity.
A system that maximises student outcome within the current national budget.
At the most basic level, every child will be fully literate and numerate. Beyond this, it is important that students master core subjects such as Mathematics and Science and acquire a rounded general knowledge of Malaysia, Asia, and the world. Students will also be encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills in other areas such as arts, music, and sports.
Every child will be, at minimum, operationally proficient in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, and the international language of communication, English. Upon leaving school, students should be able to work in environments that encompasses these languages. The Ministry will also encourage all students to learn an additional language.
Every child will learn how to continue acquiring knowledge throughout their lives, to be able to connect different pieces of knowledge, and to create a new knowledge. Every child will master a range of important cognitive skills including critical thinking, reasoning, creative thinking, and innovation. This is an area where the system has historically fallen short, with students being less able than they should be in applying knowledge and thinking critically outside familiar academic contexts.
The education system aims to instill strong ethics and spirituality within every child to prepare them for challenges that they will inevitably face as an adult. This includes strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully, to employ sound judgement and principles during critical moments, and to have the courage to do what is right. The education system also seeks to nurture caring individuals who contribute to the betterment of the community.
In our increasingly interconnected world, being able to lead and work effectively with others is critical. The education system will help each student reach their full potential by creating formal/informal opportunities for students to work in teams and take up leadership roles. In the context of the education system, leadership encompasses four dimensions: entrepreneurship, resilience, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills.
An unshakeable sense of national identity, tied to the principles of Rukun Negara, is necessary for Malaysia’s success and future. Every child will be proudly identified as a Malaysian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or socio-economic status. Achieving this patriotism requires that every child understands the country’s history and shares common aspirations for the future. Establishing a true national identity also requires a strong sense of inclusiveness, which can be achieved through the understanding and embracing of diversity.
Provide equal access to quality education of an international standard
To ensure every child is proficient in Bahasa Malaysia, English and an additional language
Develop values-driven Malaysians
Transform teaching into the profession of choice
Ensure high-performing school leaders in every school
Empower JPNs, PPDs & schools to customise solutions based on need
Leverage ICT to scale up quality learning across Malaysia
Transform ministry delivery capabilities and capacity
Partner with parents, community, and private sector at scale
Maximise student outcomes for every ringgit
Increase transparency for direct public accountability
Students will make significant gains in their development irrespective of their background. Students will study in conducive learning environments and will feel stretched and nurtured by their school experience. When they leave school, students will have world-class knowledge and skills, strong moral values, and will be capable of competing with their peers in other countries.
Students will learn in an environment where the fundamental belief is that all students can learn and all students can succeed. Teachers will have high expectations of students regardless of their background or prior achievements, and will provide them with the necessary support to meet those expectations. Students will have a richer school experience, both academic and non-academic, so that they can excel in life.
Teachers will develop the world-class capabilities needed to facilitate desired student outcomes and gain more enjoyment and fulfilment from their jobs. With the introduction of new teacher career packages, they will enjoy more improved career pathways and transparent evaluation processes that are directly linked to their relevant competencies and performance.
Teachers will have the support they need to succeed, with increased access to school-based professional development opportunities. They will participate in constructive feedback discussions and dialogue that focus not on blame and punishment, but on learning and development in areas that require improvement.Teachers will also enjoy better working conditions, performance-based rewards, and enhanced pathways. They will work in schools with adequate facilities and appropriate working conditions.
School leaders will become excellent instructional leaders and act as agents for change. They will enjoy closer support and enhanced services from federal, state, and district education officers. They will gain access to world-class leadership training as well as the best practices from their peers in Malaysia.
School leaders will have the support and resources they need to guide their schools effectively. They will receive better preparatory, induction, and ongoing training to help them develop their leadership skills. They will see improved responsiveness from PPDs on issues they face, from deployment of principal coaches to the provision of additional resources.
Ministry officials will develop as change leaders, with the skills and attributes needed to support schools. They will become better managers, coaches, and supporters of school excellence. They will benefit from greater meritocracy, greater empowerment with accountability, and will move away from hierarchy and control.
Ministry officials will receive targeted support, training, and resources needed to fulfil their new roles and responsibilities. They will have new roles focused on supporting schools and have access to more professional development opportunities.
Parents will see tangible and sustained improvements in the educational experiences of their children. There will be increased transparency around a school’s performance and priorities, and parents will be constantly kept in the loop as to how their child is doing at school, in both achievements and areas for development.
Parents will feel like true partners with the schools in facilitating their child’s learning. Parents will have a better understanding of how their children are developing and how they can help them improve the student’s performance. They will have regular contact with their children’s teachers, not just when there is a problem. They will have full visibility and access to their children’s performance on national examinations and school-based assessments.
The general public and private sector will need to provide unwavering support and encouragement to teachers and school leaders, recognising that education transformation requires time and effort. They will need to continue to provide feedback, and be active collaborators with schools and the Ministry on school improvement.
Turn around system by supporting teachers and focusing on core skills
Accelerate system improvement
Move towards excellence with increased operational flexibility
