Malaysian Indians and Education: Reimagined Development Opportunities

Description

This edited volume provides a comprehensive overview and discussion of the issues surrounding the Malaysian Indian community’s educational development. Malaysian Indian citizens who make up seven per cent of the population have their own set of strengths and weaknesses, while facing deep-seated socio-economic challenges. Education is seen as an enabler which could significantly facilitate social and economic upward mobility, as shown in policies and practices implemented under the New Economic Policy, many of which have unfortunately bypassed the Indian Community. This book explores and assesses the various aspects of the education endeavour of Malaysian Indians, including primary, secondary, post-secondary and tertiary education. Related challenges include urban poverty, school dropouts, dysfunctional families and other socio-economic issues. It reconsiders educational equity policies and practices in place while proposing new initiatives which could support and chart a way forward for the development of Malaysian Indians. Importantly, the publication addresses the roles of the government, private sector and civil society to help elevate the educational achievements of the Indian Community. The book will appeal to students and academics in the faculties of social science and comparative education, development economics and sociology, with a focus on access and equity in education. Proposals for change would be of interest to policy-makers and managers of educational and non-governmental organisations in plural societies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Preface Acknowledgements List of Contributors Chapter 1: Malaysian Indians and Education: Realities Revisited, Opportunities Reimagined The Malaysian Constitution and Equality The Malaysian Education System The B40 Income Category Multidimensional Poverty Perceptions of Marginalisation Socioeconomic Status and Education Attainment Dealing with the Multi-dimensionality of Equity Collaborative Approach to Supporting Education Attainment Chapter Summaries Tamil Primary Schools Secondary Education and the Future of Malaysian Indians Participation in Tertiary Education Education and Aspirations of Malaysian Indian Women Strategies to Future-Proof Education and Skills Development Need for Government Intervention Looking Forward References Chapter 2: Malaysian Indians: History, Contributions, Achievements, Problems and Challenges Introduction: Historical Background Malaysian Indians in the Contemporary Era: Political-Economic Marginalisation Achievements and Contributions Problems Arising from the Ethnic Model of Governance The Bumiputera/Non-Bumiputera Divide: Impact on Malaysian Indians Representation in Government Selected Initiatives Taken by the Government Selected Initiatives Taken by Civil Society Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF) Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) MySkills Foundation Challenges Conclusion: The Way Forward Notes References Chapter 3: Tamil Primary Education in Malaysia: Current Status, Challenges and Prospects Introduction Primary Education in Malaysia – An Overview Tamil Primary Education in Malaysia – An Overview Tamil Primary Education in Malaysia – Positive Changes and Prospects Academic Improvement of Tamil Primary Schools Action Plan for Future of Tamil Schools in Malaysia Physical and Infrastructure Development of Tamil Schools Teachers in SJKTs Community Support for Tamil Primary Schools Tamil Primary Education in Malaysia: New Challenges Legal Suits by Some Quarters to Challenge the Legitimacy of the Vernacular Schools in Malaysia Under-Enrolled Tamil Primary Schools The Urgent Need to Relocate a Significant Number of Existing Schools to New Areas The Ongoing Drop in Enrolment in Tamil Primary Schools and Birth Rate in the Community Children in National Schools (SK) and Chinese Primary Schools (SJKC). Conclusion and Recommendations References Chapter 4: Secondary Education and the Future of Malaysian Indians Introduction Background: Colonial Roots of Tamil Primary Schools Typologies of Education for Minority Communities Indians in Malaysia: From Indentured Labour to Urban Poor Challenges to Tamil Education in Malaysia Challenges Facing Indian Students Priority Residential Secondary School for Indian Students Indian Students in National Medium Schools: Challenges and Remedies Conclusion and Recommendations Notes References Chapter 5: Tertiary Education of Malaysian Indians: Challenges and Prospects Introduction Tertiary Education Imperatives for Malaysian Indians Policy Context Tertiary Education Pathways Tertiary Education Provisions Provisions for Academic Study Community-Oriented Academic Provisions Provisions for Skills Development and Training Community-Oriented Skills-Based Provisions Future Directions: Challenges and Prospects Access and Equity Support for Learning at Tertiary Level Employability Conclusion References Chapter 6: Malaysian Indian Women’s Education and Their Marginalisation: An Intersectional Analysis Introduction: Malaysian Indian Education Malaysian Indian Class Struggles Intra-ethnic Inequality of B40, M40 and T20 Indians Ethnicity and Malaysian Educational Policies: Impact on the Malaysian Indians Quota System Meritocracy System Gender Norms and Malaysian Indian Women The State of Malaysian Indian Women’s Labour Force Participation and Unemployment Method Findings and Discussion Class Struggles and Gender Norms: Its Consequences on Women’s Education Cultural Barriers in the Indian Patriarchal Household: The Dilemma between Household Roles and Employment Essentialising1 Gender Roles in Academic Institutions Lacking Awareness of Educational Opportunities Agency due to Higher Education Lack of Agency and Choices due to Minimal Education Policy Recommendations Conclusion Notes References Chapter 7: Future-Proofing the Talent of Malaysia’s Indian B40 Community for the New Economy: A Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Framework Introduction Background Literature Methodology Conceptual Framework Data Analysis State of Education and Training Ecosystem for iB40 Community Education Attainments Employment Profile Economic Outcomes Discussion: Key Issues and Way Forward Recommendation 1: An Independent Central Agency to Oversee the Management of Talent for the Vulnerable Community Recommendation 2: Public–Private Participation for Access to ICT Infrastructure and Infostructure Recommendation 3: ‘One-Stop Portal’ That Identify Facilities, Talent and Skills Development Conclusion Notes References Chapter 8: Education of Malaysian Indians: The Need for Government Intervention Background Methodology and Data Analysis of Efforts Taken So Far Lessons and Parallels from Policies and Practices Implemented Successfully Millennial Developmental Goals (MDGs) Race, Social Inequality and Social Mobility Upward Mobility: Race and Ethnic Disparities Disadvantaged Communities Lessons and Models Case Study 1: Affirmative Action – National Economic Policy (NEP) in Malaysia Case Study 2: Government and Community Collaboration in Singapore Case Study 3: Equity initiatives in Education from Australia A Theoretical Framework: Capability Approach (CA) Specific Policy Recommendations A Dedicated Bipartisan Organisation Structure A Focused Government-Supported Organisation Double Tax Exemptions, Government Grants and Community Contributions Direct Involvement with All Sectors of Education Representatives in Public Sector Institutions of Higher Learning and Scholarship Bodies Conclusion References Chapter 9: Malaysian Indians and Education: Reimagined Development Opportunities Introduction Initiatives by the Government and Civil Society The Malaysian Indians and Education: Reimagined Development Opportunities Role of the Government Role of Civil Society Conclusion References Index