Education in the country is consisting of pre-school, primary, secondary, tertiary and postgraduate. Beginning in 2003, the government initiated the use of English as a standard of teaching in the entire science subjects. The Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia is responsible from pre-school up to secondary stage of education while, the Ministry of Higher Education is in-charge in tertiary education in 2004.
In pre-school, the government has no prescribed curriculum except a proper training which requires and certification for professors and principals before they may manage a pre-school. Primary education comprises of 6 years of education. It starts at age 7 and finishes at the age of 12 years old. Students in national schools are mandatory to go through a standardized test called Primary School Evaluation or Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah before graduating from primary education. The students must take the examination for Malaysian Certificate of Education before graduating from secondary. Uniforms in public school are required for all students nationwide. The required uniforms for males are collared shirt with long or shorts pants and for female a collared shirt and knee-length skirt. Generally, the students are expected to black or white shoes and white socks whereas ties are included in particular dress codes.
The country has 10 local public universities, 6 private, 1 international university and more than 500 Public Higher Educational Institutions. PHEIs are non-government facilitates institutions and are totally financed by the private sector. It is open to every individual in the country and offers postgraduate and undergraduate studies. Private educational institutions are obligatory to register or enlist with the Ministry of Education.
