Policy Discourses in Malaysian Education ― A Nation in the Making

Since independence in 1957, Malaysia has become a globally-recognised industrial trading partner. With a 60% Muslim population, it also enjoys the reputation of being a moderate and peaceful nation. However, with just a short time left to realising its Vision 2020 of developed nationhood, the pathway of nation building still seems ambiguous. There is a brewing tension in its race and ethnic relations which has permeated the various fronts, namely politics, society, economics and education. This book analyses the education policies that have been formulated and implemented in Malaysia since independence. It demonstrates how these policy enactments have influenced the nation’s growth and transformation, and the challenges faced in creating a model of equity and multicultural co-existence among its racially and ethnically diversified people. Shedding light on these issues, it points towards the major mending that is needed for Malaysia to become a truly developed nation.

Chapters include:

• Education of ethnic minorities in Malaysia: Contesting issues in a multiethnic society
• Access and equity issues in Malaysian higher education
• Graduate employability in government discourse: A critical perspective

This comprehensive book is a case study on Malaysia that will supplement researchers and advance students in their understanding of a multi-racial society’s perspective and attitude towards education.

Suseela Malakolunthu (PhD, Michigan State) is a Professor and Chair of Educational Research and Consultation at the Universiti Utara Malaysia. Besides, Suseela provides consulting services on school improvement and school leadership. She is an awardee of the Fulbright Fellowship for research on ‘Multicultural education and leadership’ at Stanford University (2005 – 2006), and has served as a Research Fellow of the Asia Pacific Centre for Leadership and Change, Hong Kong Institute of Education (2009-2011).

Nagappan C. Rengasamy (PhD) is a Senior Consultant in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the Asian Institute of Logistics and PEMM Consultants, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. He has about 35 years of industrial work experience both in operational and educational capacities. He specialises in strategic management, leadership, creativity, and adult and vocational education, and offers consulting services in professional development programs. He has also taught management subjects in universities.