Comparison Between

Education Act 1996 &

Education Act 1961
Ummi Norkhairiah
Nur Sabrina Zulaikha
Haiza

Education Act 1996

Based on philosophy of
education and Wawasan
2020
Covers all levels of education
in schools and institution
under the national education
system (except expatriate
(private) schools)
*Education Act 1996, sec. 15
The national language as main
medium of instruction in all
educational institutions in the
National Education system
(except an national-type
school established under sec
28 or any educational
institution exempted by
Minister from this section)
*Education Act 1996, sec 17)

Aspect

Education Act 1961

Platform & Vision

The philosophy not written and

unclear (more focus on way to
unite the races)
*Razak Report (par.12)

National Education System

Only covers the few levels of

education. (school or
institution of government and
government aided school)
*Education Act 1961, Sec. 19

Position of National Language

The national language as a

medium instruction in national
primary school and national
secondary school only

EducationAct1996
Used by all schools in
theNational Education System
*Education Act 1996, sec 18

Aspect

EducationAct1961

NationalCurriculum

Allocationdoesnotexist

every schools prepare its

students for examination
*Education Act 1996, sec 19

Examination

Allocationdoesnotexist

Compulsory subject in all

school
*Education Act 1996, sec 17

National Language as
compulsory subject

Only compulsoryto
government school and
government-aided school

Only one condition:

Are provided if there has
request (15 and above) from
parents for these subjects
*Education Act 1996, sec 2

Subject of Chinese andTamil

Languages

Two conditions:
1)If there has request from
parents(15 and above)
2)If reasonable and practical to
do

EducationAct1996

Two conditions:
If there has request from
parents (15and above)
If reasonable and practicable to
do
#Recognition to indigenous
people
*Education Act 1996, sec 2
-government
-non-government
-private
#So, easily to manage
*Education Act 1996,sec 16

Aspect
Indigenous Languages

EducationAct1961
Allocationdoesnotexist

CategoryofSchoolandinstitutio fullyaided(governmentandnon
n
-government)
private

-Establish and manage the preschool

-Givechanceofpre-school
education especially for the
poor and needy
*Education Act, sec 21

Pre-school

Establish pre-school curriculum

Curriculumforpre-school

Allocationunclear

Thecurriculumnotcompulsory

Education Act 1996

Aspect

Education Act 1961

Primary education (national or Duration for primary Education Providing a six-year course of
national-type school) designed
primary education (national
for duration of six years but
primary school) *Education Act
may completed within to seven
1961, sec 2
years
*Education Act 1996, Sec 29
Can continue for form 6 or
matriculation and another
higher education
*Education Act 1996, sec 33

After Secondary Education

Polytechnics can make

collaboration with another
institution or organization.
*Education Act 1996, sec 37
Polytechnics can take course
or training program for
certificate level or other level
with another universities or
institution of education
*Education Act 1996, sec 38

Collaboration of Polytechnics

Allocation is unclear

Allocation does not exist

Education Act1996

Aspect

Minister can establish

thiseducation either in special
school itself or another
available school (primary and
secondary)
#Develop the loving and
caring community

SpecialEducation

EducationAct1961
Allocationisunclear

*Education Act 1996, sec 40

Establish opportunity for
higher education (bachelor,
diploma and certificate) in
education field and collaborate
program with another institute
of education.
#Develop the potential and
skill and strengthen the quality
of theteachers. (Especially in
science, mathematics and IT
according to thedevelopment
of country)

Education Colleges
(Maktab Perguruan)

Allocation for teachers too

general

Education Act 1996

Aspects

Education Act 1961

Compulsory subject in all

schools including private (if
there has request from 5 and
above students) #Important to
develop the moral values

Teaching Islam

Compulsory if there has

requests from 15 students and
above (in government and
government-aided school only)

*Education Act 1996, sec 50

Private Education Institutions
have to get written permission
from Minister.
#To control the private
Education Institution in
managing any program besides
to make easier for Malaysia to
achieve Centre of Education
Excellence.
*Education Act 1996, sec 77

Twinning and Linkage Program

Allocation does not exist

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