Education Act 1996 · Updated to 1 Jul 2020 · Chapter 1 · The National Education System
17. National language as the main medium of instruction
Official textFrom Laws of Malaysia Online, unchanged
The national language shall be the main medium of instruction in all educational institutions in the National Education
national language
“national language” means the Malay language as stipulated in Article 152 of the Federal Constitution;
System except a national-type school established under section 28 or any other educational institution exempted by the Minister from this subsection.
national-type school
“national-type school” means a government or government-aided primary school— (a) providing primary education appropriate for pupils from the age of six years; (b) using the Chinese or Tamil language as the main medium of instruction; and (c) in which the national and English languages are compulsory subjects of instruction;
Where the main medium of instruction in an educational institution is other than the national language, the national language shall be taught as a compulsory subject in the educational institution.
educational institution
“educational institution” means a school or any other place where, in the carrying on of the work of an organization or institution, persons are habitually taught, whether in one or more classes, and includes a kindergarten and a distance education centre but does not include— (a) any place where the teaching is confined exclusively to the teaching of any religion; or (b) any place declared by the Minister by notification in the Gazette not to be an educational institution for the purposes of this Act; Education 19
Terms defined in s 2
educational institution
Defined · s 2“educational institution” means a school or any other place where, in the carrying on of the work of an organization or institution, persons are habitually taught, whether in one or more classes, and includes a kindergarten and a distance education centre but does not include— (a) any place where the teaching is confined exclusively to the teaching of any religion; or (b) any place declared by the Minister by notification in the Gazette not to be an educational institution for the purposes of this Act; Education 19
national language
Defined · s 2“national language” means the Malay language as stipulated in Article 152 of the Federal Constitution;
national-type school
Defined · s 2“national-type school” means a government or government-aided primary school— (a) providing primary education appropriate for pupils from the age of six years; (b) using the Chinese or Tamil language as the main medium of instruction; and (c) in which the national and English languages are compulsory subjects of instruction;
Chapter 2
Pre-School Education
Chapter 3
Primary Education
Chapter 4
Secondary Education
Chapter 5
Post-Secondary Education
Chapter 6
Other Educational Institutions
Chapter 7
Technical Education and Polytechnics
Chapter 8
Special Education
Chapter 9
Teacher Education
Chapter 10
Religious Teaching in Educational Institutions
Chapter 11
Management of Educational Institutions
Chapter 12
Provision of Facilities and Services
Part V
Assessment and Examination
Part VI
Higher Education
Part VII
Private Educational Institutions
Part VIII
Registration of Educational Institutions
Chapter 1
Registration of Educational Institutions
Chapter 2
Cancellation of Registration
Chapter 3
Registration of Governors and Employees
Chapter 4
Registration of Pupils
Chapter 5
Inspection of Educational Institutions by the
Part IX
Registration of Teachers
Chapter 1
Registration of Teachers
Chapter 2
Permits to Teach
Chapter 3
Miscellaneous
Part X
The Inspectorate of Schools
Chapter 1
The Inspectorate
Chapter 2
General
Part XI
Finance
Part XII
Appeals
Part XIII
Regulations
Part XIV
Offences and Penalties
Part XV
Miscellaneous
Part XVI