Laws and Other Basic Regulations Concerning Education

The basis of the education system is formulated in several policy documents. In particular, the recommendations contained in two Reports (the Razak Report of 1956 and the Rahman Talib Report of 1960) became the integral component of the Education Act of 1961 and then of the Education Act of 1996. The Education Act (1996), which repealed the Education Act (1961), covers all educational levels although the focus is on pre-primary, primary, secondary and post-secondary education.

The Universities and University Colleges Act (1971) provides for the establishment and regulation of public universities. This Act was amended in 1996 to provide for the corporatization of the governance and management of universities.

The Private Higher Education Institutions Act (1996) for the first time makes provisions for the establishment of private universities and university colleges, branch campuses of foreign universities as well as the upgrading of existing private colleges to universities.

The establishment of a National Council on Higher Education is provided for in the National Council On Higher Education Act (1996). This Council is responsible for determining the policy in the field of higher education and co-ordinating its development.

The National Accreditation Board Act (1996) provides for the setting up a National Accreditation Board to ensure that high academic standards and quality are maintained in both public and private higher education institutions.

The National Higher Education Fund Board Act (1997) provides for the establishment of a fund board for the purpose of providing financial assistance (educational loans) for students studying in higher education institutions in the country.

According to Section 29A(1) of the recent Education Amendment Act 2002 (Act A1152), effective January 1 2003, the government has made primary education compulsory for all children aged 6. Parents who fail to enrol their children would be liable to a maximum jail term of six months or a 5,000 ringgit fine or both. Secondary education is not yet compulsory. Education is provided free to all children.