Malaysia implements a sound educational system from pre-school to higher education namely:

• Pre-school (2-3 years)

• Primary education (5-7),“Note: the number of years are affected by different factors which includes acceleration, the national-type primary schools, and transition courses factors”

• Secondary education (3);

• Secondary education (2)

• School extension program (6), or pre-university education classes (1-2)

• Higher Education-college students Course (3-5) - post-graduate courses (1-5)

All elementary, junior high, high school and secondary classes have been extended with the revised National Maduanlin system. In Malaysia, education is the government's responsibility. The government provides free education for primary (6 years) and secondary (5 years), but compulsory education is not mandatory. Children at the age of seven enter elementary school and they will graduate in their first university degree usually around the age of 22.

Malaysian education system has two major types of educational institutions:
(1) public education institutions -- funded or aided by the government
(2) private (or independent) educational institutions -- funded by the private sector

In Malaysia, majority of primary and secondary schools are funded or aided by the government; there is only a small number of private primary and secondary schools. The scope of tertiary education includes certificate courses, diploma courses, undergraduate and master's degree, and doctorate courses.

Institutions of higher education can be divided into two major components :
(1) the public institutions of higher education -- State University, State College, the National Institute for Higher Institute or
(2) private institutions of higher education--private universities, private colleges, universities overseas branches

In the area of higher education, private educational institutions play a very important role for they provide broad educational opportunities for domestic and foreign students. There are currently more than 15,800 foreign students in Malaysia attending at State or private institutions of higher education. There are education reforms to improve the country's overall education quality.

To meet the new needs of the new millennium, the government established English as a second language. Malaysia tried to develop into an international education center. The government adopted a series of legislation for the implementation of major national education reform. In 1995-1997 period, the legislative bills for has been an important agenda in the Congress. New education bill for pre-school to higher education won in all stages. The adopted bills are :

The Education Act, 1996
This bill gives a broader meaning for the state education. It involves the national education system except for the overseas Chinese schools. The bill's goal is to ensure that the entire education system provides quality of education. This bill is to improve and strengthen the right to pre-school education, teacher education, special education, private education and vocational and technical education. At the same time, it also gives more emphasis on the values of education. The bill establishes English as a second language and encourages the use of English as the medium of instruction.

The Private Higher Educational Institutions Act, 1996
This bill is on private universities, university colleges and foreign university branch established in Malaysia. It is also to upgrade the existing domestic private colleges and for the development of specific regulations. The bill empowered the state of higher education. It gives it a greater space for free development to vigorously develop the tertiary level, to train skilled human resources, and adapt to meet the growing needs of the society.

National Council of Higher Education Act, 1996
The Act established a set of national institutions to formulate policies and regulations and to coordinate the implementation of the country's higher education development plan. This is needed for the rapid development of higher education.

National Accreditation Act, 19961996
The Act established government administrative bodies to ensure that the management and supervision of national and private institutions of higher education meet academic standards-- teacher quality, teaching aids, equipment and other facilities, management systems, course content and quality of activities, the quality of education and academic research findings.

Universities and Universities Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1996
The bill aims to promote the administration of public universities. Improving the administration of public universities and giving them greater financial autonomy is conducive for their development and for them to accomplish more excellent academic achievements.

National Higher Education Fund Board Act, 1997
The bill set a higher education fund in Malaysia in order for students to receive higher scholarship grants. It provides financial assistance to students who enter tertiary institutions. The bill defines the establishment of an education savings plan to encourage parents and children from primary to start saving in order to be prepared for higher education. This is a long-term prime rate education savings plan.