What is the school system like? Are there a lot of colleges and universities? Is it public or private? Anything else about the educational system.
We have both public and private education systems.
1)
Kindergarten period (4 - 6 yrs old) - it's optional, but majority of children were enrolled in kindergartens nationwide as early as 4 yrs old.
2)
Primary School Period (7 - 12 yrs old) - it's obligatory. It's a crime if you dont send your kids to school. We started with Standard One (for 7 yrs old) and ended with Standard Six (12 yrs old). At the end of Standard Six we would be having a nationwide examination called UPSR. All of these kids mus sit for Malay Language, English Language, Science an Mathematics papers. It's important to score all subjects with 'A's if you want to further study in the best secondary schools.
3)
Secondary School Period (13 - 17 years old) - it's also obligatory. It starts with Form 1 (for 13 years old) to Form 5 (17 yrs old).
In Form 3, there would be another nationwide exam called PMR. You have to score as many 'A's as possible to be maintained or further admitted to best secondary schools.
In Form 5, SPM (equivalent to UK's O-Level) IS THE ULTIMATE exam for Malaysian students ... it's the paper that could give you a place in the university or ended up working in factory.
4)
Pre University Level - for those who excelled in the SPM, they'll go for pre university education such as Matriculation etc.... or they can stay at secondary schools taking STPM papers.
We have many type of public schools:
Primary Schools
1) Sekolah Kebangsaan (formerly known as Malay schools, Malay is used as medium of instructions)
2) Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (now abolished and called as Sekolah Kebangsaan, formerly know as English school, English as medium of instructions)
3) Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (formerly known as Chinese school, Mandarin as medium of instructions)
4) Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (formerly known as Indian school, Tamil as medium of instruction)
Seconday Schools
1) Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Malay as medium of instructions)
2) Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Cina (Mandarin as medium of instructions)
3) Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tamil (Tamil as medium of instructions)
4) Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (Islamic school)
5) Sekolah Menengah Sains (Science stream school)
6) Sekolah Menengah Teknik (Technical school)
7) Sekolah Menengah Vokasional (Vocational training school)
We have tens of universities and hundreds of colleges.
kay: