THE ACTUALIZATION OF THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KUCHING, SARAWAK: STUDENT AND

TEACHER PERSPECTIVES

ROSY LAI SU FONG

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

THE ACTUALIZATION OF THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KUCHING, SARAWAK: STUDENT AND
TEACHER PERSPECTIVES

ROSY LAI SU FONG

A project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the

requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Education (Curriculum and Instruction)

Faculty of Education
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

JUNE 2013
 iii

Dedicated to:

My God, Lord Jesus Christ who loves me unconditionally

My beloved parents and siblings who always support me

My supervisor who inspired me to do my best

My friends and course mates who always cheered me to move on

 iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

May all glories and honours be unto the God most high. First of all, I want to
thank and praise my God for leading me to accomplish this study. He is my source of
strength and light when I am weak and lost. Lord Jesus, I really want to thank you for
always being there for me and granting me wisdom in conducting this research.

Next, I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Shafeeq

Hussain, who provided teaching, guidance, advise and constructive criticism as well
as kind assistance throughout this study. His insight and sharing of knowledge have
broadened my knowledge and thinking skills. I also want to thank my beloved
parents, friends and course mates who always motivated me to press on.

I also want to thank those who are directly involved in this research,
particularly Mr. Zul Azli Umar Baki from Ministry of Education and Sarawak
Education Department for assistance to expedite the process in getting the approval
letter to conducting the research.

Last but not the least, I am not forgetting all supports given by principals,
teachers and students from Chung Hua Middle School No.3, Sunny Hill Secondary
School, SM Sains Kuching, SMK St. Joseph and SMK Tabuan Jaya. I deeply
appreciate all of your excellent services and assistance. Indeed, I acknowledge with
gratitude that this success is ours.
 v

ABSTRACT

The overall purpose of the study is to analyse the actualization of the National
Philosophy of Education (NPE) in government and private secondary schools on the
basis of student and teacher perspectives. The study believes that high tendency of
failure in achieving the main objective of the NPE could occur if the relevant parties
are unable to understand and personalize them. Since its establishment in 1988, there
was no research conducted to study the actualization of the NPE, the present study
addressed this issue, specifically from the perspective of the secondary school
students and their teachers both in the government and private sectors. Survey
design was adopted to obtain the research objectives. Two sets of questionnaires for
students and teachers were designed and modified based on a handbook, “National
Philosophy of Education, Goal and Mission” (Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan,
Matlamat dan Misi), published by Ministry of Education in 2001. The Cronbach’s
Alpha reliability coefficient value for the teacher and student instrument was 0.96
and 0.98 respectively. A total of 185 Form 4 students and 45 teachers from both
private and government secondary schools in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia were
selected as participants in this research by using ‘stratified sampling method’. The
mean scores for the actualization of the NPE in secondary schools based on student
and teacher perspectives were 7.67 and 7.28 out of 10 respectively. 77.3% of
students and 64.4% of teachers rated the level of actualization of the NPE as high.
There were no significant differences between student and teacher perspectives but
there were significant differences between respondents from government and private
secondary schools. As per the results, the element most actualized was ‘high moral
standards,’ and the least actualized was ‘‘putting on-going effort in education’.
Overall, the results showed that the NPE is yet to be fully actualized in secondary
school students and their lives.
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ABSTRAK

Tujuan keseluruhan kajian ini adalah untuk menganalisis aktualisasi Falsafah

Pendidikan Kebangsaan (NPE) di sekolah menengah kerajaan dan sekolah menengah
swasta berdasarkan perspektif pelajar dan guru. Kajian ini percaya bahawa
kecenderungan yang tinggi bagi kegagalan mencapai objektif utama NPE boleh
berlaku jika pihak-pihak berkenaan tidak dapat memahami dan memperibadikan
NPE. Sejak penubuhan NPE pada tahun 1988, tidak ada penyelidikan dilaksanakan
untun mengkaji aktualisasi NPE, maka kajian ini mengemukakan isu ini,
terutamanya dari perspektif pelajar dan guru di sekolah menengah kerajaan dan
swasta. Kajian tinjauan telah digunakan untuk mencapai objektif kajian. Dua set
soal selidik bagi pelajar dan guru telah direka dan diubahsuai berdasarkan buku
panduan, " Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan, Matlamat dan Misi” yang diterbitkan
oleh Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia pada tahun 2001. Nilai kebolehpercayaan
pekali Alpha Cronbach bagi instrumen guru dan pelajar adalah 0.96 dan 0.98
masing-masing. Sejumlah 185 pelajar Tingkatan 4 dan 45 orang guru dari sekolah
menengah swasta dan kerajaan di Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia dipilih sebagai
responden dengan menggunakan 'kaedah persampelan berstrata’. Skor min bagi
aktualisasi NPE di sekolah menengah berdasarkan perspektif pelajar dan guru adalah
7.67 dan 7.28 masing-masing. 77.3% pelajar dan 64.4% guru menggangap tahap
aktualisasi NPE adalah tinggi. Tiada perbezaan yang signifikan di antara perpektif
pelajar dan guru tetapi terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan antara responden di
sekolah menengah kerajaan dan sekolah menengah swasta ke atas pengaktualisasi
NPE. Menurut hasil kajian, elemen yang paling banyak diaktualisasikan ialah
'berakhlak mulia' manakala paling kurang dimiliki ialah ‘memberi usaha berterusan
di pendidikan’. Secara keseluruhan dapatan kajian ini menunjukan NPE masih
belum diaktualisasikan dengan sepenuhnya pada pelajar sekolah menengah dan
dalam kehidupan mereka.
 vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT v
ABSTRAK vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xiv
LIST OF SYMBOLS xv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xvi
LIST OF APPENDICES xvii

1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2
1.3 Purpose of the Study 4
1.4 Research Questions 5
1.5 Hypothesis 5
1.6 Conceptual Framework 6
1.7 Significance of the Study 7
1.8 Definition of Terms 7
1.8.1. Actualization 7
 viii

1.8.2. Perspective 8
1.8.3. The National Philosophy of Education 8
1.8.4. Secondary School 9
1.9 Organization of Chapters 9

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 10

2.1 Introduction 10
2.2 The Philosophy of Education 11
2.3 The National Philosophy of Education (NPE), Malaysia 13
2.3.1 Forming of the NPE 13
2.3.2 The Elements of the NPE 15
2.4 Implications of the NPE 18
2.5 The Actualization of the NPE 19
2.6 Summary 23

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 24

3.1 Introduction 24
3.2 Research Design 24
3.3 Population and Location of the Research 25
3.4 Sample of the Research 26
3.4.1 Students 28
3.5.2 Teachers 29
3.5 Research Instrument 29
3.6 Data Collection Method 31
3.7 Pilot Testing 31
3.8 Data Analysis Method 32
3.9 Summary 34

4 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS 35

4.1 Introduction 35
4.2 Demographic Background of Respondents 36
 ix

4.2.1 Background of Teachers 36

4.2.2 Background of Students 43
4.3 Descriptive Data for Basic Knowledge and Appreciation
towards the NPE 48
4.3.1 Teacher Basic Knowledge and Appreciation
towards the NPE 48
4.3.2 Student Basic Knowledge and Appreciation
towards the NPE 50
4.4 Descriptive Data for Perspective on the Actualization of Each
Elements in the NPE 51
4.4.1 Teacher Perspectives on the Actualization of the
NPE elements 51
4.4.2 Student Perspectives on the Actualization of the
NPE Elements 58
4.5 Findings and Hypothesis Testing 64
4.5.1 Objective 1: To Analyse the Level of Actualization
of the NPE in Secondary Schools based on Student
Perspectives 64
4.5.2 Objective 2: To Analyse the Level of Actualization
of the NPE in Secondary Schools based on Teacher
Perspectives 65
4.5.3 Objective 3: To Identify Difference between
Student and Teacher Perspectives on the
Actualization of the NPE in Secondary Schools
Students 65
4.5.4 Objective 4: To Identify Difference between
Level of the Actualization for the NPE in
Government Secondary Schools Students and
Level of the Actualization for the NPE in Private
Secondary Schools Students 66
4.6 Summary 67
 x

5 DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND

CONCLUSIONS 68
5.1 Introduction 68
5.2 Discussion 68
5.2.1 Level of Knowledge and Appreciation of the
NPE among Teachers and Students 69
5.2.2 Student Perspectives on the Actualization of the
NPE in Secondary Schools 71
5.2.3 Teacher Perspectives on the Actualization of the
NPE in Secondary Schools Students 75
5.2.4 Differences between Student and Teacher
Perspectives on the Actualization of the NPE 78
5.2.5 Differences in the Level of the Actualization of
the NPE between Government and Private
Secondary Schools Students 80
5.3 Recommendations 82
5.3.1 Recommendations for Change 82
5.3.2 Recommendations for Further Study 85
5.4 Conclusions 85

REFERENCES 88
Appendices A - O 95-189



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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

3.1 Selection criteria for secondary school 26

3.2 Fowler’s sample size table 27

3.3 Distribution of respondents by schools 28

3.4 Class interval for the level of actualization of the NPE 33

4.1 Distribution of teacher respondents by gender according

to the type of schools 36

4.2 Distribution of teacher respondents by race according

to the type of school 37

4.3 Distribution of teacher respondents by religion according

to the type of school 38

4.4 Distribution of teacher respondents by age according to

the type of school 38

4.5 Distribution of teacher respondents by marital status

according to the type of school 39

4.6 Distribution of teacher respondents by academic

qualification according to the type of school 40

4.7 Distribution of teacher respondents by professional

qualification in education according to the type of school 41

4.8 Distribution of teacher respondents by teaching experience

according to the type of school 42

4.9 Distribution of teacher respondents by teaching subject

according to the type of school 43
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TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

4.10 Distribution of student respondents by gender according

to the type of school 44

4.11 Distribution of student respondents by race according

to the type of school 44

4.12 Distribution of student respondents by religion according

to the type of school 45

4.13 Distribution of student respondents by age according

to the type of school 46

4.14 Distribution of student respondents by type of exam to be

undertaken according to the type of school 47

4.15 Distribution of student respondents by Malaysia citizenship

according to the type of school 48

4.16 Teacher basic knowledge and appreciation towards the

NPE according to the type of school 49

4.17 Student basic knowledge and appreciation towards the NPE

according to the type of school 50

4.18 Teacher perspectives on student actualization of the NPE

in private and government secondary schools students 52

4.19 Top three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in private secondary schools: Teacher perspectives 54

4.20 Bottom three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in private secondary schools: Teacher perspectives 55

4.21 Top three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in government secondary schools: Teacher perspectives 56

4.22 Bottom three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in government secondary schools: Teacher perspectives 57

4.23 Student perspectives on actualization of the NPE on

students in private and government secondary schools 58

4.24 Top three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in private secondary schools: Student perspectives 60
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TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

4.25 Bottom three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in private secondary schools: Student perspectives 61

4.26 Top three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in government secondary schools: Student perspectives 62

4.27 Bottom three elements of the NPE possessed by the students

in government secondary schools: Student perspectives 63

4.28 The level of actualization of the NPE in secondary schools

based on student perspectives 64

4.29 The level of actualization of the NPE in secondary schools

based on teacher perspectives 65

4.30 Results of independent-sample t-test for teacher and

student perspectives 66

4.31 Results of independent-sample t-test for actualization of

the NPE in government and private secondary schools 67

5.1 Mean scores for the actualization of the NPE in

private and government secondary schools 82
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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE

5.1 The actualization of the National Philosophy of Education

in private and government secondary schools: Student
perspectives 72

5.2 The actualization of the National Philosophy of Education

in private and government secondary schools: Teacher
perspectives 76
 xv

LIST OF SYMBOLS

 - Alpha
df - degree of freedom
f - frequency
μ - mean
p - level of significance
N - number of respondent
% - percentage
SD - standard deviation
t - t-test statistic
 xvi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

NPE - The National Philosophy of Education

KBSM - Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah
(Malaysian National Secondary School Syllabus)
KBSR - Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah
(Malaysian National Primary School Syllabus)
KSSR - Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah
(Revised Primary School Standard Curriculum)
PBS - Pentaksiran Berasaskan Sekolah (School-based Assessments)
SPM - Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia
(Malaysia Certificate of Education)
UCSCAM - United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia
UEC - Unified Examination Certificate
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organizations
 xvii

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

A Questionnaires: Teacher perspectives 95

B Questionnaires: Student perspectives 118

C Letter from UTM: Status of Confirmation 140

D Letter of Approval from the Ministry of Education 142

E Letter of Approval from Sarawak Education Department 145

F Letter: Obtain permission to conduct research at

targeted school 147

G Analysis of Results: Reliability for pilot testing 150

H Analysis of Results: Background of teachers 152

I Analysis of Results: Background of students 157

J Analysis of Results: Basic knowledge and

appreciation towards the NPE 162

K Analysis of Results: Teacher and student perspectives

on the actualization of the NPE elements 166

L Analysis of Results: The level of actualization of the

NPE in secondary schools based on student perspectives 179

M Analysis of Results: The level of actualization of the

NPE in secondary schools based on teacher perspectives 183

N Analysis of Results: Hypothesis 01 186

O Analysis of Results: Hypothesis 02 188

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

A coherent vision and goal are vital to any efforts that human being undertake.
This is especially true to the educational efforts. A common educational vision,
enshrined in the Philosophy of Education of a nation, is also like a lighthouse, in
providing guidelines to turn the educational efforts of that nation into success. The
general idea of philosophy is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a theory or attitude
that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour. As Peter (1997) indicated “statements
of aims of education are positions taken that are based on a set of beliefs – a
philosophy of education (p.176)”. What we belief will determine what we are going
to be in the future. In view of the importance of vision and philosophy, the Ministry
of Education in Malaysia adhere to the National Philosophy of Education (NPE)
which was formed in 1988 in line with the National Principles (Rukun Negara) with
ultimate aims of building an united and progressive society (Ministry of Education,
2001). As Azman (1998) indicated, the implementation of education policy in
Malaysia has carefully taken many factors such as political, social and economic into
consideration that it gives an acceptable norm of satisfaction to its multi-ethnic
citizens. In Malaysia every ethnic groups have their own unique culture and interest.
However, in order to have a harmony and progressive country, every individual shall
unite together in pursuing the same vision despite diversity. The NPE serves this
purpose (Mok, 2008).
 2

The NPE reads:

“Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort towards further developing the

potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce
individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced
and harmonious based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is
designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who
possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving a
high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the betterment
of the family, society and the nation at large.” (Ministry of Education, 2008, p.ix)

In view of the importance of education in developing the potential of students

in a holistic and integrated manner and for the betterment of society and nation as
prescribed by the NPE, it is the time for all Malaysians to unite and personalize the
NPE, that the slogan “One Malaysia (Satu Malaysia). United we stand”, get realized
among Malaysian citizens.

Overall, the NPE not only serves as general aims of Ministry of Education
but it also provides answer to the questions, (i) What type of citizen we want to
produce?, (ii) What type of world or society we would love to live in?, (iii) What are
the values that we cherish?, and (iv) What are the logical relation between all these?.
In general, this study aims to examine the actualization of the NPE in private and
secondary schools in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

“Bearing of philosophy on education is somewhat indirect; for most

educators have to take their subject-matter to a large extent at second-hand, and have
no time to inquire how far it is true, in any ultimate sense of the word” (Mackenzie,
1898, p.428). High tendency of failure in achieving the main objective of the NPE
could occur if the relevant parties are unable to understand and personalize the NPE.
As Arieh (1977) suggested, in order to find out whether students have mastered
 3

certain skills as a result of the educational programs and whether they have acquired
certain desired attitudes and values, it is necessary that the curriculum, and even the
general aims be evaluated in a continual process.

The important role of the NPE as general aims of education in Malaysia, and
its direct implication on school curriculum are evident in the current KBSR
(Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah) [Malaysian National Primary School
Syllabus] and KBSM (Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah) [Malaysian
National Secondary School Syllabus] (Ee, 1996). As Mok (2008) indicated changes
in school curriculum, were in fact, aligned with objectives of the NPE. The KBSR
and KBSM are anticipated to be able to reflect the NPE. That is the KBSR and
KBSM were implemented in schools with the anticipation that they would produce
holistic and balanced citizen having equipped with all the characteristics as
prescribed in the NPE. However, the actualization of the NPE through KBSR and
KBSM is remains vague in secondary schools. The most recent change of KBSR
with the Revised Primary School Standard Curriculum or Kurikulum Standard
Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) should be read in this. Hence, the NPE, as general aims of
education in Malaysia, shall be evaluated to identify its current trends of
actualization. However, up-to-now, the current status of the actualization of NPE is
vague, there is uncertainty whether the content of NPE has been transmitted
successfully by teacher to students and further personalized by students. Therefore
the study about actualization of the NPE is vital.

In general, teachers in government schools are trained in government

institutions, whereas private school teachers mostly have not undergone any local
teacher training in Malaysia. It is commonly known that private school teachers in
Malaysia do not required having degree in education in order to teach. The private
schools only need to register their teachers with Ministry of Education and will
automatically subject to official entry to teach in government school (UNESCO,
2011). Thus, the actualization of the NPE in private school is anticipated to be more
difficult and it is anticipated only minority of private schools have been exposed to
the NPE. In fact, the understanding and involvement of private school teachers in
the NPE is vital in order to close the gap between private and government schools in
 4

actualizing the common general aims of NPE. Hence, the differences between
government and private school should be studied to find out to what extent they are
successful in implementing the NPE. This is vital to ensuring that both government
and private schools aim to achieve the same objective, and for the unity and
betterment of Malaysia.

This study also reflects the latest Preliminary Report for Malaysia Education
Blueprint 2013 – 2025, which envisions the transformation of education in Malaysia.
The Blueprint also aims to ensure operational shift and alignment between policy
formulation and implementation (Ministry of Education, 2012). This study thus runs
as precursor to these efforts as it analyses the realization of the NPE in the targeted
group of students. In fact, students are the one who undergo and involve in the
actual curriculum. Therefore, actualization of different elements of the NPE should
be happening in them. It is for this reason, firstly the study aims to explore their
perspective. Secondly, it aims to analyse the perspective of their teachers on how
well they think the NPE is actualized in their students. Overall, this study anticipates
to filling the gaps of uncertainty by having comprehensive analysis on the
actualization of every element prescribed in the NPE perspectives of students and
teachers in government and private schools.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

In general, the overall purpose of the study is to analyse the actualization of

the NPE in government and private secondary school based on student and teacher
perspectives. The specific purposes of the study are as following:

a) To analyse the level of actualization of the NPE in secondary schools based

on students perspectives.
b) To analyse the level of actualization of the NPE in secondary schools based
on teachers perspectives.
c) To identify differences between student and teacher perspectives on the
actualization of the NPE in secondary schools students.
 5

d) To identify differences in the level of actualization of the NPE between

government and private secondary school.

1.4 Research Questions

With reference to the purpose of the study, this study aims to answer the
following research questions:

a) What is the level of actualization of the NPE in secondary schools based on

student perspectives?
b) What is the level of actualization of the NPE in secondary schools based on
teacher perspectives?
c) Is there any difference between student and teacher perspectives on the
actualization of the NPE in secondary schools students?
d) Is there any difference between the level of the actualization for the NPE in
government secondary schools students and the level of actualization for the
NPE in private secondary schools students?

1.5 Hypothesis

The hypotheses for this study are listed as following:

a) H01: There is no difference between student and teacher perspectives for the
actualization of the NPE in secondary schools students.
b) H02: There is no difference between the level of the actualization for the NPE
in government secondary schools students and the level of actualization for
the NPE in private secondary schools students.
 6

1.6 Conceptual Framework

According to the Ministry of Education (2001), the elements of NPE have

been categorized into fifteen (15) sub-groups as illustrated below:

Element of National Philosophy of

Education
x Education is an on-going effort
x Developing the potential of individual
x Potential development in a holistic and
integrate manner
x A balanced and harmonious individual
x Intellectual element
x Spiritual element Students not There is gap in the
actualization of the
x Emotional element able to
National
x Physical element actualize it
Philosophy of
x Firm belief in and devotion to God into life
Education through
x Knowledgeable current curriculum
x Competent
x High moral standard
x Responsible
x Capable of achieving a high level of ‘Actualization’
personal well-being means the NPE is
x Contribute to the betterment of the realized in and
family, society and the nation personalized by
students that they
resemble the type of
citizen; ‘create the
Students able to actualize it into life type of society; and
embrace the values
envisioned by the
NPE.
Successfully actualize the National
Philosophy of Education through current
curriculum
 7

1.7 Significance of the Study

This study is anticipated to provide a better insight for educators to judge

whether current curriculum has successfully transmitted all the elements as
prescribed in the NPE or whether students personalize the underlying elements of the
NPE and translate them into daily life.

In addition, educators and related authority may use the findings as reference
in improving current curriculum in schools by knowing which element has yet to be
actualized by students.

Finally, this study also serves as part of evaluation for the NPE, in which
evaluate the general aims of education in Malaysia to identify whether the aims of
education has been achieved in reality. Not only the device of the NPE is important,
but also its actualization. This study provides indicator to identify whether the
general aims has been transferred from general aims to specific goals of education,
then to course objective, and finally transfer to the receivers (students).

1.8 Definition of Terms

The key terms for this study are elaborated below:

1.8.1. Actualization

With reference to Oxford dictionary, the term “actualize” means “(with object)
make a reality of”. Hence, the term of “actualization” is used in this research to refer
“to make the NPE into a reality”. Therefore, ‘actualization of NPE’ means the NPE
is realized in and personalized by students that they resemble the type of citizen;
create the type of society; and embrace the values envisioned by the NPE that
Malaysia would like to have.
 8

1.8.2. Perspective

With reference to Oxford dictionary, the term “perspective” means “a

particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view”. Hence,
the term of “perspective” is used in this research to refer “students and teachers’
points of view on the elements of the NPE, whether they have been actualized in
student daily life.

1.8.3. The National Philosophy of Education

Ministry of Education (2008) indicates the NPE to constitute the basis for all
education activities and programs in Malaysia. The current vision, mission,
objectives of educators and various national education policies are derived from the
NPE. There are fifteen sub-groups of elements of the NPE. They are:

1) Education is an on-going effort

2) Developing the potential of individual
3) Potential development in a holistic and integrate manner
4) A balanced and harmonious individual
5) Intellectual element
6) Spiritual element
7) Emotional element
8) Physical element
9) Firm belief in and devotion to God
10) Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable
11) Malaysian citizens who are competent
12) Malaysian citizens who possess high moral standard
13) Malaysian citizens who are responsible
14) Malaysian citizens who are capable of achieving a high level of personal
well-being
15) Malaysian citizens who are able contribute to the betterment of the family,
society and the nation
 9

1.8.4. Secondary School

The secondary schools in this research are referred to government and private
secondary schools in Malaysia. The government schools are fully subsidized by the
government and with standard curricula of KBSR and KSSM, whereas the private
secondary schools are run by private sector. There are three types of private
secondary schools in Malaysia, which include private schools with national
curriculum, independent Chinese schools with Dong Xiao curriculum and
international schools with international curriculum (UNESCO, 2011).

1.9 Organization of Chapters

This research is presented in five chapters. Chapter 1 provides background of

the research which includes problem statement, purpose of the study, research
questions, hypothesis, conceptual framework, significance of the study and definition
of terms. Chapter 2 provides a systematic review of relevant literatures to
summarize what have been done on similar topic, find the gap in the literature, and
further indicate how this research fills these gaps. Chapter 3 elaborates the
methodology of the research. It explains about the research design, instruments, pilot
testing, sampling method and data analysis methods.

Chapter 4 analyses the collected data and reports the finding. The findings
will be further discussed and related to precious research in Chapter 5. In addition,
implication and recommendations also will be also provided in Chapter 5.