Ethnic Relations at School in Malaysia: Challenges and Prospects of the Student Integration Plan for Unity [Hardcover]

This book considers the impact of the Rancangan Integrasi Murid Untuk Parpaduan (RIMUP: Student Integration Plan for Unity), the program developed as a driver towards Malaysian national integration and intended to promote an ideal of unity in diversity through enhancing ethnic interaction in primary schools. Based on interview research with government departments, NGOs, and stakeholders at primary schools, this book highlights three main structural challenges to success of the RIMUP: the governments weak management; the short duration and low frequency of an activity; and low student participation rate. The book also provides concrete suggestions to develop the RIMUP, to improve ethnic relations and to shape the future direction of education policies for the development of national integration, making a significant contribution to Malaysian studies as well as education policy in multi-ethnic countries.

Introduction.- Education Structure in Malaysia.- Inter-group Contact Theory and the Governments Perspectives.- Overview of RIMUP.- Governments Weak Quality Management: Incorporation of Allports Optimal Conditions.- Short Duration and Low Frequency: Fluctuations in Prejudice Levels.- Low Student Participation Rate: Dependence on Extended Contact.- Conclusion.

Noriyuki Segawa is a Professor in the Faculty of International Studies at Kindai University, Japan. He was previously a visiting researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Studies, the National University of Malaysia (2015-2017). He is an author of National Identity, Language and Education in Malaysia (2019).

This book considers the impact of the Rancangan Integrasi Murid Untuk Parpaduan (RIMUP: Student Integration Plan for Unity), the program developed as a driver towards Malaysian national integration and intended to promote an ideal of unity in dil.