Some significant aspects of inequalities in pre-school education in Malaysia and their implications

Abstract

Pre-school education in Malaysia took roots in the 1950s and 1960s. It was, however, in the 1970s that the stage was set for a more considerable and significant expansion of pre-school education in this country. In 1970, there were 394 pre-school with 865 teachers and 26,381 children. These figures are measures of the achievement in the expansion of pre-school education in the early years. In 1973, the figures expanded to 833 pre-schools, 1,463 teachers and 47,392 children. By 1977, the statistics swelled to reach 1,672 pre-schools, 2,730 teachers and 88,295 pupils. Though these figures are not enormous when com pared to the statistics for primary education in Malaysia, they are significant and worth taking note because the increases recorded were achieved within a comparatively short span of time with resources and means outside the Ministry of Education.