Homeschooling in Malaysia: Legal Issues
Education in Malaysia
LIKE MOST THINGS IN LIFE, education in Malaysia is in constant flux. Policies are made and unmade, and flip-flops are not unusual. This section is not intended to review every controversy, but to provide a brief overview of regulations (legislated and unwritten) pertaining to educating a child outside the traditional schooling system. Because things are constantly being reviewed, some of the information provided below will certainly change. Do email me if you have new and additional info that would be helpful to our readers.
Meanwhile, the following still applies:
- Visit the Ministry of Education (MOE) website here
- Public education is FREE in Malaysia. For an overview of public schooling in Malaysia and relevant laws, go here.
- Nevertheless, compulsory Primary Education has been in force since amendments were made to the Education Act 1996 (Act 550), to include Section 29A. The amended section now reads:
(1) The Minister may, by order published in the education Gazette, prescribe primary education to be compulsory education.
(2) Every parent who is a Malaysian citizen residing in Malaysia shall ensure that if his child has attained the age of six years on the first day of January of the current school year that child is enrolled as a pupil in a primary school in that year and remains a pupil in a primary school for the duration of the compulsory education.
(3) The Minister may, if he considers it desirable and in the interest of the pupils or the public to do so, by order published in the Gazette, exempt any pupil or any class of pupils from the requirement to attend compulsory education, either absolutely or subject to such conditions as he may think fit to impose, and may at any time in his discretion revoke the exemption or revoke or alter or add to such conditions.
(4) A parent who contravenes subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
(5) The Minister may make regulations for the carrying into effect of the provisions of this section.
Note that compulsory education applies only to Primary School. Secondary school is presently not mandatory under the above Act. After Standard 6, Malaysian students are not compelled to be enrolled in a Secondary School and a child may choose to continue formal education in a private or public school, or abandon it altogether .
Applying to homeschool
According to the Act, any parent who wishes their child to be exempt from schooling must apply to the MOE. Soon after the Act was passed in 2003, following a personal enquiry to the Ministry, 3 conditions were mentioned as requisite for exemption:
- The child in question should be medically certified as unfit (learning disabled) or not suited (high IQ/exceptionally gifted) for conventional schooling
- The family is constantly travelling abroad
- The curriculum used must be the National Curriculum in the main, while others could be used as supplement.
Subsequently in a written reply to a local daily in 2004, the Ministry of Education said the following factors would be considered in applications for exemption:
- The parents’ and child’s nationality and residence status;
- Whether the child has registered in a school;
- Reasons for requiring home schooling;
- The parents’ ability to home school;
- The suitability of the home-schooling plan devised by the parents, and
- The curriculum, timetable and methods of assessment used.
Conditional approval will be given once the minister is satisfied that the factors above have been met. The conditions include:
- The number of years exempted;
- The use of the KBSR curriculum; and
- Allowing an officer from the ministry to monitor the progress.
Applications may be addressed to:
Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia
Aras 2, Blok E2,
Kompleks Kerajaan Parcel E,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62604 PUTRAJAYA
66 Comments so far...
DAVID BC TAN Says:
28 April 2015 at 11:51 am.
Hello,
Thanks for writing. It is compulsory for Malaysians to send their children to primary school from std 1 to std 6. However by 2016, the government intends to make schooling compulsory all the way to secondary level as well. MAny homeschooling families in Malaysia have faced numerous problems getting exemption to homeschool. Although on paper the government says you ‘can’ home educate, you need to show evidence that your children have some medical history or condition that prevents them from normal schooling. Although this is the current environment, the MOE has not been properly enforcing mandatory schooling and this gives us breathing space – this is why many many families have decided not to send their kids to conventional schools, and they have also chosen not to apply for exemption. It is not an easy question to answer, but each parent must make their stand and act according to their own conviction.
One way around the issue is, homeschool if you can abroad. When you come back apply to be in a ‘private’ school or learning centre. Once you are clear of the steps you intend to take in the long term, pull your kids out and them home educate them. Being in a learning centre or private school gives you time to think carefully and prepare for your next steps. Having said that, a lot of homeschoolers are happily doing what they are doing and also interacting publicly and on social media. You can connect with a bunch of very multiracial groups who are finding encouragement from each other as they take the road less travelled.
Cheers!
David Tan
Fan Says:
4 May 2015 at 1:31 am.
Hi David,
Thank you and appreciate for the informative website. We plan to homeschool our 4 years old son.
– Myself and my wife do not have the highest education. We only have diploma in art. And our english level is not very good. Do you think we are qualify to homeschool our son?
-If yes (we wish), I wish to know more from you that how to start our homeschooling journey? like where to buy the home schooling materials/books, how many hours per day should we spend for home schooling etc.
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Fan
sheila Says:
25 May 2015 at 2:43 pm.
dear Mr david,
would like to seek yr advice on homeschooling fees matters. Mt child is currently grade 7 IGCSE in one of the ‘homeschool’ center in KL.
Is it legal for homeschool who registered themselves as tuition centre to charge for december school fees when they declare december a holiday month.? Their school calendar follows our MOE public school’s calendar.
Do we have a right to not pay the december fees? with the recent GST implementation, 6% is compulsory for the ‘homeschoolers’.
Thank you n regards,
Sheila.
Komathi Says:
17 June 2015 at 5:30 pm.
Dear Home Schooling Parents,
I am conducting a research on home schooling in Malaysia. This topic is an ongoing field of study and I am very much interested in it as a researcher as well as a parent who is looking into this option. It would be greatly appreciated if you could participate in the questionnaire and return it to me by 24th June 2015. You have a right to decide whether you are interested to participate and if you do not wish to answer any of the questions included, you may skip them and move on to the next question. Your confidentiality and anonymity are highly assured. You may request for the removal of any information given and you have a right to withdraw from answering the questions. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the research, please do not hesitate to contact me. Your comments and feedback are highly valued. Thank you for your time.
Best wishes,
Komathi
0193379495
k.ramiah@warwick.ac.uk
Survey Link: http://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/FjAlIFTs
alice Says:
15 July 2015 at 1:08 pm.
Hi there,
I was tried to enroll my girl to sri kl for yr 7 on 2016 but it was full. Therefore, we currently looking for a homeschool center for her. Who can recommend me a good homeschool which nearest to my place in puchong? However, who know that calvary church also provides homeschool in bukit jalil?
Hope to received your.prompt reply. Thank you.
Dr.Zeve Krishna Says:
16 November 2015 at 4:58 pm.
Dear Parents,
I am Zeve Krishna from AZ Global Academy in Setia Aveneu Setia Alam, Shah Alam.
I would like to introduce my home schooling to all the parents near Klang Valley. I’m running a home schooling for the students who needs. Looking into not only education but also the students talent.
Keeping in touch with parents very closely.Will always discuss about students progress in education and activities with parents. Not only education but also providing health science, computer studies, swimming, cycling, tracking and many more activities for them.
Qualified lecturers are involved to guide the students in every angle. Students life won’t be just a 8am to 3pm study time but it’s beyond predictable. Everyday is a new day to explore.
Lately a group of students took part in Yoga competition held in Klang Dewan Hamzah. Few students won in their category.Most of the activities held is not only for internal but also to bring out the students talent personally up till international competitions.
Students can achieve the highest ranking in studies with their involvement in other activities too.
My home schooling is not just a school alone for students, it’s more than that. It’s a Gurukulam. Students will be guided in right path for their future,low average students will be given additional classes for free. A student who step in into my home schooling will leave with high achievement in his hand neither education nor activities.
Transport provided for Klang Valley students with a minimum chargers. Food is provided too for students recess time upon students request with a minimum chargers.
Parent’s will be proud to send them to the right home schooling if they choose AZ Global Academy. “You will get what you want in AZ Global Academy Home Schooling”
The fees per sem is very much cheaper compare to what you get in my home schooling. Do not hesitate to call me at H/P : 011-23587177.
Thank you very much for your kind consideration. Call or watsapp me anytime, i’ll be available to service you.
Thanks again
Dr.Zeve Krishna
AZ Global Academy
Home Schooling.
Kiran Says:
15 December 2015 at 12:28 pm.
Hello,
I’m really new to this home schooling system, got to know a little from a friend. I’m an educator in one of the secondary schools up north. Past 2 years, I’ve noticed my son (14 now)has been having difficulty in catching up with the Secondary syllabus especially in Maths & Science. These subjects were taught in English when he was in the primary school. However, when he stepped onto Form 1 everything was in BM and ever since then he fails to get terms correct, neither he is able to apply what is taught in class. I’m interested to start him with homeschooling. Can you please advise the procedures needed? As a parent who is also an educator (English teacher), how can I help him? Thank you in advance.
Clairey Says:
3 January 2016 at 8:48 pm.
I am 17 years old this year and I am keen to transfer to homeschool from a public school as I could not bear it anymore. I have been bullied by classmates and even teachers and suffered so much about how my they treat me the last 4 years. This is kind of discrimination. They laughed at me and made fun of me. Even teachers look down at me and talk to me sarcastically. I could not understand what they were talking about, but I feel it. (my friends told me what do they mean) I am not good at Malay since I was in primary school. In these years, I tried to force myself learning Malay but I find out that I just could not make it. I am thinking about transferring to a homeschool center or homeschooling myself at home. But another problem has come, how to convince my parents to let me transfer to a homeschool center or just homeschooling by myself like looking for exercises and tests on Internet? Homeschool center actually is kind of pricy to my family. What can I do next? I am going to sit for igcse or probably A-Level.
Sue Says:
10 January 2016 at 2:18 pm.
We are Malaysian family residing abroad and a recent development have led us to move back to Kuala Lumpur. My two children are currently in Grade 9 and 11 with an international school (American Syllabus) till June 2016. However because of the relocation, we would have to stop school immediately in their mid school year.
I would truly appreciate your help in lending some advice on how we can best home school them. Any suggestions are welcome so long my children are able to continue studying in despite.
Many thanks.
Nattia Says:
26 January 2016 at 10:43 am.
Greetings, I am NK a non-Malaysian parent (divorced with full custody) of Malaysian children with dual citizenship. I read above that these laws only apply to Malaysian parents…is this correct? Thank you.
Ee Says:
8 March 2016 at 8:21 pm.
Would like to check any family doing home schooling in Miri?
Fatin Nasuha Says:
1 April 2016 at 1:30 pm.
Hi, I’m a student from Shah Alam and currently doing my preparation year before flying to US. I’m currently doing my research paper on Homeschooling in Malaysia: Should it be reinforced? I was hoping to get to interview some parents and children who have been practicing homeschooling in order for me to gain information regarding this issue. I’d love to know about the processes required and your experiences of homeschooling/home-schooled. Please contact me via email: ftnnsuha@gmail.com
Your help is much appreciated, thank you.
Sree Says:
18 April 2016 at 4:13 pm.
Hi,
My daughter who has mild autism was placed in special education in a national primary school for 3 years before she decided to quit, so we have been homsechooling her since then i.e from 2013 until now. She is 12 years old now. Recently, the school sent us a letter asking us to obtain permission from the MOE before the ‘surat berhenti sekolah’ can be issued. Is it advisable to approach the MOE, given their propensity to reject applications? Looking forward to some advice.
Kuhen Says:
12 June 2016 at 4:13 pm.
We are a group of dedicated professionals comprising of professors, doctors and many alike with the aim of bringing quality education to students everywhere. We can guide in Medicine, Law, Accounting, Business & Economics, A-Level(all subjects), IGCSE (all subjects), SPM (all subjects)
Call to enquire:
+60102204291
+60102884255
Lot 19-1
Jalan 17/56,
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Selangor
Malaysia Homeschooling - Home School Information A2Z | A2Z Homeschooling Says:
16 December 2016 at 7:31 am.
[…] Homeschooling in Malaysia: Legal Issues Education in Malaysia is in constant flux. Policies are made and unmade, and flip-flops are not unusual. This section is not intended to review every controversy, but to provide a brief overview of regulations (legislated and unwritten) pertaining to educating a child outside the traditional schooling system. – See more at: http://homeschoolhomefrontier.com/resources/hs-legal-research#sthash.IVPtThNS.dpuf […]
Aspirasi Says:
7 February 2017 at 12:03 am.
Based in Mutiara Damansara.
We are an academy for secondary students offering a broad range of subjects, on top of the conventional core subjects, such as dance, fine arts, business, maker, poetry, etc culminating in IGCSE.
Do call and make an appointment 017 200 7660.