Penglibatan Organisasi Badan Bukan Kerajaan dalam Pendidikan di Tanah Melayu, 1920-1950-an (The Involvement of Non Governmental Organizations Over Education Issues In Malaya, 1920-1950-s)

Abstract

This article discusses the involvement of the Non-Governmental Organizations in education issues of Malaya during the 1920s to the 1950s, especially in regards to the three prominent races in Malaya namely the Malays, Chinese and Indians. The involvement of education based NGOs in Malaya began as a minor role, later growing into a medium for the enforcement and enhancement of social justice for the people. The study was conducted using qualitative methods by analyzing official documents, annual reports, proceedings and writing on NGOs and education around the year. The findings show that education based NGOs in Malaya around the 1920s to 1950s were more defensive in upholding the interest of their respective races in comparison to other social NGOs. Due to the weakness of the Colonial British education system that allowed schools to be established without control and which does not clearly show the true composition of races in Malaya during that time. This divide and rule administrative policy created by the British sowed discontentment among the local populace. Despite the turmoil, the NGOs have taken the required and correct steps to create an impact within the education system, thus ensuring the status quo and the struggle for language are kept intact until today.