Policies for today, visions for tomorrow :education policies and sustainable development

Abstract

Following the independence in 1957, Malaysia embarked on a new educational system with national unity as its main objective. Now 50 years after independence, Malaysia's education system has managed to unite its multi-racial citizens and furthermore equipped its society with a level of competence, skills and new knowledge that enable them to absorb new technologies that will help put Malaysia at the forefront of global science and technology development in the next century. The educational development in Malaysia is seen parallel to the country's need(socially and economically) The paper argues that many of the educational objectives of Malaysia are constructed to achieved science and technology development; economic development; and national unity, but does it also supports 'Sustainable Development'? Thus, it will discuss the educational policy of Malaysia with focus on its education system and education objectives which has undergone various changes and to analyze how much of this changes are supportive for the sustainable development agenda which is now the main concern of the globalize world.