science education in malaysia: current status, issues & challenges

A Paper presented at the

SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

SCIENCE EDUCATION IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

October 16, 2008, Ankara, Turkey

by

Ting-Kueh Soon1 & Ai-Hwa Quek2

1Academic of Sciences Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1. MALAYSIAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

MALAYSIAN FACT SHEET

Independence Now 2008Population 7.4 million 27.4 million

Life Expectancy (Years) M 56 F 58 M 72 F 76

Infant Mortality Rate 76 per 1,000 5.1 per 1,000

Gross Domestic Product RM 5.0 billion RM 1,000.3 billion

Per Capital GNP < RM 800 RM 38,860

Literary Rate 50% 98%

School Enrolment Rate M 50% F 32% M & F 98.4%

Poverty Rate 51.2% 5.0%

1.1 GDP GROWTH IN MALAYSIA / WORLD

GDP Growth (Malaysia)

1999 6.2 per cent

2000 13.9 per cent

2001 - 2.4 per cent

2002 7.9 per cent

2003 5.7 per cent

2004 7.1 per cent

2005 5.7 per cent

2006 5.3 per cent

2007 5.5 per cent

2008* 5.6 per cent

* Forecast

GDP Growth 2005

China 9.8 per cent

Thailand 5.6 per cent

Philippines 5.8 per cent

Malaysia 5.7 per cent

Indonesia 5.6 per cent

Hong Kong 4.5 per cent

R of Korea 4.0 per cent

Singapore3.5 per cent

USA 3.5 per cent

United Kingdom 2.1 per cent

Euro Area 1.5 per cent

Japan 1.3 per cent

World 4.0 per cent

1.2 S&T DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA: THE EARLIER YEARS

Malaysia – gained its independence from the British in 1957

R & D Expenditure (2002) – 2,500.6 million or 0.69% of GDP, comprising 1,633.1 million for private sector and 867.5 million for public sector

R & D Human Resource (2002) – 10,728 comprising 7,154 researchers, 1,379 technicians & 2,195 supporting staff

1.3 S&T DEVELOPMENT IN 8TH MALAYSIA PLAN (2001 – 2005)

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

MICROELECTRONICSAUTOMATION & ROBOTICSBIOTECHNOLOGYADVANCED MATERIALSMICROSATELLITE AND AEROSPACE

INDUSTRY


MULTIMEDIA SUPER CORRIDOR (MSC)

7 Flagship Projects

2nd phase of development – MSC clusters

MALAYSIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

3 Biotech Institutes – Agriculture, Industrial & Health-Care


NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY – launched in 2007 by the Prime Minister of Malaysia – envisions Biotechnology as a new economic engine for Wealth Creation and Social Well-being

Formation of the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (MBC) Sdn Bhd


MALAYSIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY:Pro-business governmentPolitical stabilityCost-effective base for businessExcellent transportation and ICT

infrastructure Cost-competitive base of knowledge

workers Rich diversity in flora and fauna


MALAYSIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY:Agricultural BiotechnologyModernizing agriculture – increasing yields & productivity,

development of natural products and new materials, bio-farming technologies

Healthcare BiotechnologyCreating new value and growth opportunities in health care

and wellness – Bio-generics, diagnostics for infectious diseases & vaccines for tropical diseases

Industrial BiotechnologyValue creation in industrial production in Enzymes & Industrial

Chemicals, Renewable energy and Bio-materials

2. SCIENCE EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA

THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Our nation, Malaysia is dedicated to achieving a greater unity of all her people; to maintaining a democratic way of life; to creating a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared; to ensuring a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions; to building a progress society which shall be oriented toward modern science and technology.


THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

We, her people, pledge our united efforts to attain these ends guided by these principles:

BELIEF IN GODLOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRYUPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTIONRULE OF LAWGOOD BEHAVIOUR AND MORALITY


NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATIONEducation in Malaysia is an on-going effort toward

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 a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledge 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 harmony and betterment of the family, society and the nation at large.


NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

In consonance with the National Education Philosophy, science education in Malaysia natures a Science and Technology Culture by focusing on the development of individuals who are competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient, and able to master scientific knowledge and technological competency.


The Malaysian population is well educated in science and technology, and is comfortable with their use in everyday life.

The Malaysian Government recognizes and strongly supports the role of science and technology in socio-economic development of the nation.

There is a general consensus that science and technology will play a major role in Malaysia’s future.


THE MALAYSIAN EDUCATION SYSTEMSix years of primary schoolFive years of secondary educationTwo years of pre-university

Education System is very much examination oriented with major examination at the ends of primary, secondary and pre-university studies.


Science is taught from primary one onwards and continues until secondary five for non-science school students

For science students, they will continue to major in science in pre-university before enrolling in a university for a science, engineering, medical, or other science-related course


For the last two decades or so, there is a decline in the interest in science as shown in the enrollment of science students in schools

The students are being influenced by more lucrative jobs in the employment market – lawyers, accountants, banking & finance, & more recently computer and information technology

2.1 DECLINING INTEREST IN SCIENCE

REASONS FOR DECLINING INTEREST:

SCIENCE IS DIFFICULT & BORINGCAREER IN SCIENCE – NOT REWARDING

FINANCIALLY & HAS LITTLE SCOPECAREER OPPORTUNITIES – LIMITEDPEER AND PARENTAL INFLUENCELACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND

APPRECIATION OF SCIENCE

2.2 REVERSING THE TREND

ENCOURANG MORE STUDENTS TO DO SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS

PROMOTING BETTER PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS & OTHER INCENTIVES

CREATING MORE JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES

2.2 REVERSING THE TREND

MALAYSIA: FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES

Percentage Enrolment of Secondary Schools

Year Science Arts

1997 32 % 68 %2002 47 % 53 %2010 60 % 40 % (targeted)

- Minister of Education (3.03.2003)

2.3 CURRENT ISSUES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

ENCOURANG MORE STUDENTS TO DO SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN S&T

DEVELOPING LANGUAGE & SOFE SKILLS

PROVIDING HUMAN CAPITALS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TEACHING SCIENCE & MATHS IN ENGLISH

2.3 CURRENT ISSUES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

TEACHING SCIENCE & MATHS IN ENGLISH

Pros & cons in the use of English as a medium of instruction

2.4 THE NATIONAL EDUCATION BLUEPRINT (PIPP)

The National Education Blueprint (PIPP) 2006-2010 was launched by the Prime Minister in 2007 as a master plan to provide quality education for all

The Blueprint is provided with an allocation of RM 23 billion under the Ninth Malaysia Plan


The Blueprint emphasizes on the following:

Education for nation buildingEducation for human capital developmentStrengthening of national schools with

reduction of the education gapAccording prestige in teaching and

accelerating educational excellence


The Blueprint also emphasises on quality teachers and teacher education & training

The selection process for teacher trainees has been made more vigorous & stringent – M-TEST& Interview

Providing incentives such as better pay and working condition, in-service training and career development path to create a quality and motivated teaching profession

3. SCIENCE HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA

TERTIARY SCIENCE EDUCATIONHighly academicContent-drivenExamination-oriented

GraduatesMore suited for academic / teaching careers

Less attuned to interests of employers at the workplace

3. SCIENCE HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIACHANGES IN TERTIARY SCIENCE EDUCATIONMaking Malaysian science graduates – knowledgeable

& employable

At present, Malaysian University Science Curricula: highly academic, content-based & examination

oriented

Weak in the command of the English Language

Lack in ICT, other “soft skills”, entrepreneurship and other business skills

3. SCIENCE HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIAChanges in tertiary science curricula to incorporate

Courses in psychology, management & marketing

Use of English as the medium of instruction

Incorporating ICT skills in instructional design

Incorporating other soft skills such as:Team-building skills Inter-personal skillsEvaluation skills Problem-solving skillsInnovative skills Value-improving skillsResourcefulness Global-understanding skillsResearch skills Entrepreneurship skills

3.1 SCIENCE HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA

Table 1: Output of Degree Courses in Malaysia (1986 – 2005)

COURSE 5MP (1986-1990) 6MP (1991-1995) 7MP (1996-2000) 8MP (2001-2005)

Number % Number % Number % Number %

Arts & Humanities 27,780 53 49,018 62 82,123 57 161,102 48.4

including

Business,

Economics & Law

Science including 17,510 33 19,642 25 40,077 28 100,967 30.4

Medicine, Pure

Sciences,

Agriculture & Others

Engineering, 7,550 14 10,504 13 21,953 15 70,650 21.2

Technical, Architecture,

Surveying & Others

TOTAL 52,840 100 79,164 100 144,153 100 332,719 100

4. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING & ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Understanding refers to “The public’s comprehension of scientific and technological concepts and methods”

Attitude refers to public interest in science and technology, perception towards science and technology, and importance attached to science and technology

4.1 UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Malaysia ranks poorly compared to other advanced nations such as USA, Japan & EU (MASTIC)

The level has also declined over the years from 2000 (MASTIC)

4.2 ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Malaysians generally feel positive about the effects of science and technology, scientific research and the future role of science and technology (MASTIC)

4.3 IMAGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Malaysians have good perception of scientists and engineers

Malaysians generally do not favour working in science and technology

Malaysians are positive on the social and economic role of science and technology

4.4 ACTIVITIES IN PROMOTING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS

Activities undertaken by the following:Public institutions such as government

ministries, agencies and Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM)

Private corporationsNon-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

such as Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA)

5. SCIENCE LITERATE SOCIETY

A society that is not only capable of generating new knowledge and technologies, but is also able to utilise this knowledge to produce innovative products and services as well as to ensure their widespread diffusion and adoption


Science for Policy

Providing scientific advice and understanding to politicians, senior government officials and corporate leaders on issues related to development, environment and quality of life

Policy for Science

Informed decision-makers making informed policy-decision on what is good science and appropriate technologies


Science for the public

Public understanding of science to make informed decisions on issues related to science and technology and ways of life

Public opinion on issues related to development, environment and sustainability


Science for the individuals

Public understanding of science for individuals to make informed choices on careers and lifestyle

Informed individuals to make informed decisions on finance, investment, government and other related issues

6. CONCLUSION

Science, Technology and Innovation today

Rapid development in science and technology

In order for us to be competitive in the global market place, there must be a high level of science and technology development

There must also be innovations in products and services

So, the Malaysian society must be able to constantly uplifting itself in science, technology and innovation to be on par with the best in the world

Datuk Dr Soon Ting Kueh Academy of Sciences Malaysia

Thank You

science education in malaysia: current status, issues & challenges

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