TERTIARY EDUCATION 3 : MALAYSIA

Implementing Strategies

4.11 The plan to increase access and participation rates in tertiary education will be implemented in stages by increasing student intake at tertiary level from 25 percent (17+-23+cohort) in 2000 to 30 percent by 2005 and 40 percent (16+-22+ cohort) b 2010, and to realize lifelong learning.

4.12 To increase opportunities to tertiary education, the Blueprint plans to further encourage the private sector to expand their involvement in the provision of tertiary education and to transform Malaysia into a center of academic excellence.

4.13 To fulfill the national needs in science and technology, a planned and comprehensive effort will be made to increase enrolment at the tertiary level to 60 percent in these fields as compared to other fields. The strategy also aims to increase the ratio of scientists and technologist to the population in order to be at par with developed countries.

4.14 To achieve a balance in producing skilled and semi-skilled workers, the Blueprint plans to widen opportunities for tertiary education based on the enrolment ratio of 1:2 for undergraduate programmes as compared to diploma/certificate programmes. This strategy will be implemented in concurrent with the establishment of Technical University and technical private institutions of higher learning, aimed at increasing the number of hands on professionals. Programmes offered at the tertiary level will be improved to ensure their quality, relevance, and ability to fulfill the manpower needs of the nation and competitiveness at the global level.

4.15 The Blueprint aims to provide adequate and quality teaching staff by increasing training programmes locally and abroad as well as expanding training programmes with industries, providing a more competitive salary scheme, and increasing the number of qualified teaching staff. 4.16 The strengthening and expansion of R&D activities at institutions of higher learning will be achieved through inculcating R&D culture among lecturers and students, increasing the number of R&D experts and personnel, establishing existing premier public university as research universities, establishing more research centers of international standard by increasing research facilities, and increasing smart partnerships between public and private higher education institutions with local and international industries. These strategies will be complemented with an increase in the use and mastery of ICT by providing appropriate infrastructure and increasing the use of ICT in tertiary education as well as creating an environment conducive to e-university.

4.17 Strategies to establish Malaysia as a center of academic excellence include increasing the number of foreign students at undergraduate and post-graduate levels by the year 2010 at the rate of 5 percent (except for International Islamic University Malaysia which will be at 20 percent) and 25 percent respectively, establishing R&D centers at local universities that are of international standards, and accounting for the internationalization of local universities.

4.18 Strategies to expand financial aid for students encompass increasing allocation and seeking various sources of fund for tertiary education institutions, especially universities, in addition, student welfare programmes and facilities will be upgraded to complement the management of tertiary education institutions.

SECONDARY EDUCATION 3: MALAYSIA

Implementation Strategies

3.7 The first strategy in the development plan is to restructure secondary using the 4+2 system, followed by efforts to review and strengthen the secondary education curriculum as well as

assessment and evaluation system according to the new structure.

3.8 To increase access and equity, the MOE will improve and expand the provision of infrastructure and build new secondary schools using new building approaches which saves space and land, maximise usage of education resources, reduce attrition rate, upgrade student safety programmes, and improve welfare of students who are poor and/or with chronic and long-term health problems.

3.9 To improve the quality of secondary education, the Blueprint plans to review and strengthen the secondary school curriculum. Emphasis will be given to the development of academic skills,

especially in mastering skills of learning, communication, critical and creative thinking, and self-management; acquiring basic industrial skills; and possessing positive values. The secondary

education curriculum will strengthen intervention programmes for students with learning problems, integrate ICT in the curriculum and strengthens co-curriculum programmes.

3.10 The Blueprint plans to increase the participation of students in science and technology by building new residential schools and technical/vocational schools, expand provision of technical and vocational education in normal schools, and award scholarships to outstanding students in science. Other strategies include improving teaching and learning of science by providing more science teachers, laboratories, and science materials; implementing contextual teaching and learning methods and inclusion of new educational elements such as biotechnology and microelectronics to make learning of science more interesting and relevant; and intensifying the integration of ICT in teaching and learning of science.

3.11 The MOE will implement strategies to improve the mastery of Malay and English languages; introduce changes to the assessment and evaluation system by emphasizing of formative evaluation and further developing effective measurement of students intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical development; and strengthen career guidance and counseling programmes.

3.12 The MOE plans to increase the number of graduate teachers in secondary schools to achieve 100 percent by 2010, increase the number of teachers for critical subjects such as English Language, Science, and Technology; fulfill professional development needs of teachers especially in rural areas; improve incentives, and provide conducive working environment. Efforts will be made to encourage the use of teaching aids and technology in teaching and learning.

3.13 To expand opportunity and improve the quality of special education, the Blueprint outlines programmes for expanding technical/vocational education for visually impaired students, equipping special education schools with appropriate teaching aids and with the latest and user friendly infrastructure, and strengthening the monitoring of special education programmes.

3.14 The MOE will improve community involvement in the development of secondary schools by extending Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) membership to community members and widening the scope of PTA activities in curricular and co-curricular activities.