Articles

A Look at Private and International School Education in Malaysia Throughout 2014

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Dec 30, 2014

2014 has been a truly eventful and challenging year for everyone, especially in Malaysia. We take a look at the roller coaster of events which have had an impact on private and international school education.

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The High Cost of Learning

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There is outcry from parents all over the world due to increase in school fees, especially in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Taiwan. Parents living in Malaysia had similar fears when the government announced the introduction of GST beginning April 2015.

However, The Ministry of Finance announced that schooling fees will be exempted from the Goods And Services Tax. Deputy Finance minister, Datuk Chua Tee Yong said that this exemption on school fees is aligned with the nation’s aspiration on being an education hub. 

(Read more HERE: School fees to be exempted from GST)

The national budget for 2015 has allocated RM 50 million for vernacular Chinese and Tamil schools and RM25 million for private schools that conform to the local curriculum (KBSR/KSSR or KBSM/KSSM).

However, public universities may see an increase in tuition fees as RM1.064 billion (12.36%) had been deducted from the Tertiary Education budget for 2015 compared to the 2014 Budget. 

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New Schools, New Faces

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Idrissi International School, touted as the worlds first Eco-Islamic primary school, managed and operated under the Genius Aulad International Group Sdn Bhd has been hosting workshops for parents and students this year in preparation for it's grand opening in January 2015.

Baseerah International School opened a new branch this September. Located in Section 7 of Shah Alam, the new campus follows the Cambridge International curriculum for both Primary & Secondary school. 

(Read more HERE: Baseerah International School launces new Shah Alam campus) 

Epsom College in Malaysia celebrated it's official launch in December by inviting Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, and Tunku Zain Al'Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz from the Royal Sultanate of the State of Negeri Sembilan. Also present at the historical event were Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and an Old Epsomian himself: Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes. 

(Read more HERE: Official launch of Epsom college in Malaysia)

The International School of Kuala Lumpur has plans of expansion and announced the community driven construction of it's new campus. Located off Jalan Ampang Hilir, the premier school is focusing on sustainability and being a showcase school for Malaysia and beyond. ISKL also welcomed it's new head of school, Dr. Norma J. Hudson whom previously held a management position in Saudi Arabia. Preparations are fervently being carried out for ISKL's 50th Anniversary to be held on April 9-12 next year.

Dr. Deborah Priest took over the management helm for the Australian International School in Malaysia (AISM) from the previous headmaster, Mr. David Kilpatrick, at a time when AISM is maturing, growing and moving to the next level of its service to the Australian and international student community.

CIMB Private Equity (CIMB PE), a subsidiary of CIMB Group had acquired a 33% stake at R.E.A.L Education Group totaling at a sum of RM 33 Million. Kenny Kim, CIMB PE’s Group CFO has stated that they are excited to partner with a trusted name such as R.E.A.L as CIMB PE participate in the attractive growth of the education sector. R.E.A.L owns a total of 30 kindergartens, 3 private and 2 International schools along with a tertiary college. 

(Read more HERE: CIMB purchases a stake in R.E.A.L education group)

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English in Education

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The President of the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), Mr. Hasim Adnan pointed out that the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of India and Malaysia to recruit English teachers from India was not a good idea as Malaysia has sufficient number of English teacher and retired teachers could be recruited to address any problems of shortage. 

(Read more HERE: NUTP claims that Malaysia has sufficient English teachers)

On the other hand, former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad throughout this year repeatedly demanded for the Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy in schools to be practiced once again.

During the presentation for the 2015 Budget, current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed for a stricter minimum band for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). The new MUET Band requirement for Language and Social Science intakes has been raised to Band 2; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will become Band 3; meanwhile Band 4 is the new standard for Law and Medical studies.

Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is also Minister of Education suggested that students of public tertiary education (IPTA) must achieve a mandatory pass for their English course before graduation. The Ministry of Education is still revising it's implementation.

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UEC Fiasco

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The Malaysian government considered recognizing the Unified Examination Certificate offered at vernacular and independent Chinese schools on the condition that the history and geography syllabus be amended and a stricter passing requirement in Bahasa Malaysia. The shortage of Mandarin teachers in public secondary schools is becoming acute, with at least 200 to 300 unfilled vacancies as proof that Mandarin qualification is increasing in demand.

(Read more HERE: Reasons UEC should be recognized by the Malaysian government)

Senator Chong Sin Woon, the Youth National Chairman for the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) called out the statements made earlier by Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, Ismail Sabri on Vernacular schools being a threat to Malaysian unity as currently, there are many students who are Malays, Indians and other ethnicity studying in Chinese schools.

(Read more HERE: Vernacular schools don't hinder unity, says Senator)

Current Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Najib Razak reassured Malaysian parents that there were no proposals to abolish vernacular schools. "If there are calls for Chinese vernacular schools to be abolished, and at the same time we are trying to increase support from the Chinese community, this is a conflicting situation."

(Read more HERE: PM speaks out against suggestions to abolish Chinese schools)

The United Chinese School Committees Association or Dong Zong refuted claims by the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Datuk Sri Hassan Malek that it is an "extremist organization".While not intending to take any legal action, the association has called for a dialogue with Datuk Sri Hassan Malek in order to clarify the aims of Dong Zong.

(Read more HERE: Dong Zong answers back: Not an extremist organization)

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UPSR Exam Leak

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The UPSR results this year showed a mere 0.02 point decrease in the National Average Grade. This was despite the leak scandal which saw 400,000 students resitting their Science and English exam papers while Math and Tamil papers were rescheduled to a later date.

(Read more HERE: UPSR exam rescheduled to 9th October)

In order to avoid the recurrence of exam leak, the Malaysian Education Ministry tightened its standard operating procedures through the help of an independent panel.

(Read more HERE: Ministry tightens security to avoid more exam paper leaks)

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PT3 Takes Over PMR

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PT3 was announced to replace PMR as the Ministry of Education strives to train students to develop soft skills such as communication skills which are vital in today's world. Former Ministry of Education Director-General, Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom commented that parents would also benefit from PT3 as the progress of students will be compiled into four reports which include psychometric and sports assessment.

(Read more HERE: PT3 on track for excellence)

However, there were reports that teachers were unable to complete the syllabus before students sat for the exam in October as they were still being briefed on the format a month prior. Many had called out the seemingly hasty and disorganized implementation of PT3 within the same year it was announced. Unlike PMR, the PT3 exam no longer has the option for multiple choice questions (MCQ).

Unconfirmed reports indicated only 80 PT3 students achieved straight As out of 450,000 candidates. In contrast, last year, 30,988 out of 422,506 students who sat for the now-abolished exam-oriented Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) scored straight As, an increase of 0.41% from 2012.

Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) Malaysia chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim pointed out that the smaller number of students getting straight As in their Form Three Assessment (PT3) results announced on Monday is an indication that the Education Ministry had been "manipulating results" all these years to ensure a string of As.

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SPM Forecast Results Not Enough

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The Ministry of Education (MOE) in a shocking decision announced that forecast Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results will no longer be accepted as an entry requirement for private tertiary education institutions.

MOE has already notified private colleges and universities that such results will no longer be admissible from January 2015 onwards which shocked many as the practice has been in place for the last 30 years. The Malaysian Association of Private Colleges (MAPCU) has already presented a proposal with regards to this decision to the Minster of Education II, Datuk Seri idris Jusoh.

(Read more HERE: Forecast SPM results no longer a legitimate entry for qualification)

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Awards and Accolades

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The Ministry of Education (MOE) was announced as part of the list of honorees at the VMware Innovation Awards in recognition for initiative under the “Transforming IT by Defying Convention” with the deployment of some 25,000 virtual desktops across the country in some 1,200 schools.

(Read more HERE: MoE awarded innovation award in the US)

Delwin Cheah, Malaysia's first autistic savant artist who was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome received a recognition letter from the President of the United States, Barrack Obama for his artwork. Delwin who started drawing at the age of three and is recognized as the world’s youngest autistic savant artist to hold a solo art exhibition in 2013. 

(Read more HERE: Autistic savant artist receives letter from US president)

The Malaysian debate contingent at the Asian World Schools Debating Championship (AWSDC) Bangkok, Thailand became champions after defeating the South African team. Proposing the motion “This House Believes that if leaders of capable states turn away refugees, the International Criminal Court should try them for crimes against humanity”, the team consisted of Deborah Wong from SMK Damansara Jaya, Thevesh Thevanathan from Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar and Nishanth Selvalingam from the International School of Kuala Lumpur.

(Read more HERE: Malaysian high school debate team wins championship in Thailand)

UCSI International School Springhill was awarded “IB World School Status” by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). There are currently 600 schools offering a total of 800 programs with the "IB World School" status operating around the Asia Pacific region.

(Read more HERE: UCSI international school Springhill awarded IB world school status)

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Technology Times

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Microsoft Malaysia proved their efforts to fortify education in Malaysia via the combination of vision, innovative solution together with students, teachers and learning institutions during the Digital Education Show Asia (DESA) 2014 on 27 & 28 May, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Malaysia is currently playing host to 123,000 international students from 163 nations in higher education institutions alone. The government is aiming to becoming the sixth biggest global education hub by 2020. The Immigration department introduced i-cards as a replacement to passports for international students studying in Malaysia beginning 1 July.

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