Constitutional framework on national language : its implementation in Malaysian Education Policy

Abstract

The research offers a critical insight in the position and the role of the national language in the Malaysian Educational Policy. This topic is seen through the constitutional and legal framework of the country. The position of the national language is seen entrenched in the constitution. In the seventies there was a gradual shift from English language to Malay language in the educational institutions, from primary level all the way to the tertiary education. This has been provided under the Education Act 1961 which was based on Razak Report and the Rahman Talib Report. The process was largely successful, producing thousands of Malaysians using the same curriculum and taught in the national language. However, in later years English language was reintroduced in educational institutions. Changes took place sometime in the mid nineties where the government allowed several courses to be taught in English in the universities. This was seen as a concession to the demands of the job market as well as the reaction to the rapid pace of globalisation. In the year 2003, the government decided that mathematics and science subjects to be taught in English in all government schools. Various reactions were heard from the public and some argued that this move is inconsistent with the constitutional status of the Malay language. The researcher employed doctrinal and textual analysis as the main basis of methodology. Several interviews have been conducted with various stakeholders in the education sector, in order to ascertain how the policy formulated and the standard of execution at schools. The findings reveal that the position of national language is generally weak since the legal framework is feeble. The government reversed its decision of teaching mathematics and science subjects in English in 2010. The study proposes amendment to the relevant legislations and a formation of a consultative body by the government in education matters.