Education Act 1996 (Malaysia)

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Education Act 1996
MalaysianParliament.jpg
Parliament of Malaysia
  • An Act to provide for education and for matters connected therewith.
Citation Act 550
Territorial extentThroughout Malaysia
Passed by Dewan Rakyat
Passed20 December 1995
Passed by Dewan Negara
Passed28 December 1995
Royal assent 15 July 1996
Commenced1 August 1996
Effective 31 December 1997, P.U. (B) 541/1997
Legislative history
First chamber: Dewan Rakyat
Bill titleEducation Bill 1995
Bill citation D.R. 35/1995
Introduced by Najib Razak, Minister of Education
First reading 7 December 1995
Second reading 18 December 1995
Third reading 20 December 1995
Second chamber: Dewan Negara
Bill titleEducation Bill 1995
Bill citation D.R. 35/1995
Member(s) in charge Mohd. Khalid Mohd. Yunus, Deputy Minister of Education
First reading 21 December 1995
Second reading 27 December 1995
Third reading 28 December 1995
Amended by
Education (Amendment) Act 2002 [Act A1152]
Education (Amendment) Act 2009 [Act A1341]
Related legislation
Education Act 1961
Education (Amendment) Act 1963 [Act 32 of 1963]
Education Act (Extension to Sarawak) Order 1975 [P.U. (A) 425/1975]
Education Act (Extension to Sabah) Order 1976 [P.U. (A) 176/1976]
Keywords
Education
Status: In force

The Education Act 1996 (Malay : Akta Pendidikan 1996) is an Act of the Parliament of Malaysia, which was enacted to provide for education and for matters connected therewith.

Contents

Preamble

Preamble of the Act provides the following acknowledgements:

  1. WHEREAS acknowledging that knowledge is the key determinant of the destiny and survival of the nation:
  2. AND WHEREAS the purpose of education is to enable the Malaysian society to have a command of knowledge, skills and values necessary in a world that is highly competitive and globalized, arising from the impact of rapid development in science, technology and information:
  3. AND WHEREAS education plays a vital role in achieving the country's vision of attaining the status of a fully developed nation in terms of economic development, social justice, and spiritual, moral and ethical strength, towards creating a society that is united, democratic, liberal and dynamic:
  4. AND WHEREAS it is the mission to develop a world-class quality education system which will realize the full potential of the individual and fulfill the aspiration of the Malaysian nation:
  5. AND WHEREAS the National Education Policy is based on the National Philosophy of Education which is expressed as follows:
    1. “Education in Malaysia is an ongoing effort towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards, and who are responsible and capable of achieving a high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large”:
  6. AND WHEREAS the above policy is to be executed through a national system of education which provides for the national language to be the main medium of instruction, a National Curriculum and common examinations; the education provided being varied and comprehensive in scope and which will satisfy the needs of the nation as well as promote national unity through cultural, social, economic and political development in accordance with the principles of Rukunegara:
  7. AND WHEREAS it is considered desirable that regard shall be had, so far as is compatible with that policy, with the provision of efficient instruction and with the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, to the general principle that pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents

Structure

The Education Act 1996, in its current form (1 January 2012), consists of 16 Parts containing 156 sections and 1 schedule (including 2 amendments).

See also

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