IPG Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa

Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM)

TEACHER AND CURRENT

CHALLENGES
EDU 3093
PISMP TESL JANUARY 2013(Semester 8)
Semester 2/2016

TOPIC 2

Teacher and Legislation

Education Act 1996 Act 550
Revised 1 January 2012
Its Importance and Implications
to the Teaching Service

Education Act 1996

An extension and renewal of the
Education Act 1961.
Aims to strengthen the national
education system in line with the
needs and aspirations of Malaysia
that is to become a center of
excellence for high quality and world
class education.

Education Act 1996

This Act is anchored to the main
recommendations of the Razak
Report 1956, which became the basis
of our national education policy.
The new Act still retains many
relevant provisions of the Education
Act 1961.

The purpose of the enactment of

the Education Act 1996 is for:
expanding the scope and introduce
legislation on education.
strengthening the national education
system for young generations in line
with the nations aspiration to make
Malaysia a center of educational
excellence of the highest quality.
outline the relevant legislation related
to education.

The purpose of the enactment of

the Education Act 1996 is for:
including legislation in the pre-school
to tertiary level, including the
government and private sectors.
strengthening the national language
as the main medium of instruction.
coordination of all types of school
curriculum through the national
curriculum.

The purpose of the enactment of

the Education Act 1996 is for:
using a standard evaluation and examination
system.
Islamic Education is extended to Muslim
students.
expanding the jurisdiction of the Minister of
Education.
enhance technical education.
strengthening teacher training.
systematic private education
strengthening the tribal language

The content of the Education

Act 1996
Section 16: provide three categories
of schools in Malaysia; government,
private and government aided
schools. This clearly can
accommodate the needs of the Form
6, matriculation and so on.
Section 17 (2) provides national
language as a compulsory subject in
all schools.

The content of the Education Act 1996

Section 17 (2) provides

- National language as the main
medium of instruction
- national language as a compulsory
subject in all schools.
(1) The national language should be the main medium of
instruction in all educational institutions in National Educational
System except a national-type school established under Section
28 or any other educational institution exempted by the Minister
from this subsection
(2) When the main medium of instruction in an educational
institution is other than the national language, the national
language shall be taught as a compulsory subject in the
educational institution.

The content of the Education

Act 1996
Section 18 provides that all schools
should follow the national curriculum
except it is specifically exempted.
Section 19 provides that all schools
prepare students for prescribed
public examination, unless
specifically exempted.
Every school shall prepare pupils for examinations
prescribed by or under this act or any regulations
made under this act unless otherwise exempted by or
under this act

The content of the Education

Act 1996
Section 20 Prohibition against
the establishment, operation or
management of kindergartens
(1) No kindergarten shall be established, operated or
managed unless it is registered under this Act.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be
guilty of an offence

Section 21 empowers the

Minister to establish and
maintain kindergartens.

The content of the Education Act 1996

Section 22 Preschool curriculum

(1) The Minister shall prescribe a curriculum, to be

known as the National Pre-school Curriculum, that
shall be used by all kindergartens in the National
Educational System
(2) The National Pre-school Curriculum
prescribed under subsection (1) shall specify the
knowledge, skills and values that are expected to
be acquired by pupils at the end of their respective
period of pre-school education
(3) Any Kindergarten intending to implement
any curriculum in addition to the National Pre-school
Curriculum shall, before implementing such
additional curriculum, inform the Registrar General
of such intention in such manner as may be
prescribed
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or
(3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on
conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding ten

The content of the Education Act 1996

Section 23 Medium of
instruction in preschool
Notwithstanding subsection 17(1),
languages other than the national
language may be used as a medium of
instruction in kindergartens, but where
a kindergarten uses a language other
than the national language, the
national language shall be taught as a
compulsory subject.

The content of the Education

Act 1996
Section 37 and Section 38 allow the
polytechnic to offer courses of study
or training program at certificate or
any level of qualification with any
university or other educational
institution.
Section 40 allows the Minister to
provide special education classes in
special schools or in any primary or
secondary school.

The content of the Education

Act 1996

Section 47 (1), allows teacher training colleges

to provide degree courses, diploma or
certificate program in collaboration with
university or other higher education
institution.
Section 50 provides that Islamic Education
subject is compulsory in all schools including
private schools when there are 5 or more
Muslim students.
Section 69 provides that all of those
conducting public examinations are required to
obtain approval from the Director of
Examinations in advance.

The content of the Education

Act 1996

Section 69 provides that all of those

conducting the public examinations
are required to obtain approval from
the Director of Examinations in
advance.
Section 77 clarifies that private
educational institution that run
"twinning program" and "linkage"
must obtain permission in writing
from the Minister.

SUMMARY
Education Act is the foundation of the
National Education System which
contains all aspects associated with the
national education rooted with the
national philosophy. The understanding
of the teachers about the importance
of this act is very important when
carrying out duties as an educator so
that they could be in line with the
vision and mission of the ministry of
education and government in general.

TUTORIAL TASK
Study and analyse the content of the
sections in the Education Act 1996
(Act 550).
State the implications of the sections
to pupils, teachers, schools,
curriculum and the National
Education System.