The Civil Society Engagement in Malaysian National Education System: How the Organizations Should Be Seek Justice in Multi Racial Society?
Keywords:
Civil Society, NGO, National Education, Malaysia, PolicyAbstract
Civil society exists due to a democratic state system, which guarantees freedom of movement, gathering and voicing aspirations. The role of civil society in national development has become an important element, especially in the education sector. This article discusses the influence and involvement of civil society in the country’s education policy. The focus of the study is to see the extent of the role and expectations of civil society in Malaysian National Education Policy. The research methodology is qualitative by using face-to-face interview as a research method. The informants were selected from civil society experts and representatives who advocated national education. The results of the study found four main influences of the involvement of civil society in changing the national education policy. First, civil society acts as a social control and balancer of government decisions in the education system. Second, a role in the structural improvement in the education system. Third, as a change agent of education policy, and finally it acts as a driving force for social justice in the education system in Malaysia. In conclusion, civil society plays an important role in changing the country’s education policy. That role has become a check and balance on any policy making and implementation related to national education issues.
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