Chapter 7. Chinese Education in Malaysia

This chapter reviews the evolution of Chinese education in Malaysia in the past 190 years. For each phase of the development, the medium of instruction, syllabus, curriculum allotment, and learning objectives are discussed against the sociopolitical background during that period. It starts with the introduction of old-style Sishu prior to the 20th century, followed by a description of new-style schools in early 20th century. Subsequently, the process of localization of Chinese education in the 1950s is highlighted as the third stage of evolution. In the 1960s and 1970s, the conversion of medium of instruction has a great impact on the development of Malaysian Chinese education. After the revival movement in the 1970s, Chinese education enters a new stage with the implementation of KBSR curriculum in the 1980s. The sixth section discusses the development of Chinese education in the 1990s when English was to be promoted by the government in response to the global economy and Vision 2020 in Malaysia. This chapter gives a focus on the present situation of Malaysian Chinese education in different types of schools. The last section summarizes the achievements of Malaysian Chinese education and points out some issues in relation to Chinese teaching in Malaysia.