Education System
Primary Education Only primary school education is compulsory in Malaysia, where multilingual public schools, private schools and home educators co exist side by side. Following unregulated preschool education a child enters primary school at age 7 for a period of 6 years. Following schooling in the community language of their choice they must sit for their primary school achievement test in order to qualify to study further.
Secondary Education There is no identified middle school period although secondary education is divided into 2 phases. Following the first 3 years of general education students write for their lower certificate of education. Thereafter they enter either the arts or the science stream according to personal choice and teacher advice for 2 years. Once in that stream though switching opportunities are limited. Following this latter period, they may complete 6th form, or study for a further 2 years for matriculation exemption