99
secondary level also showed a significant improvement from 79% in 2015 to 83% in 2016
( Appendix Figure 3). However, compared to primary and lower secondary, enrolment rate
showed a limited improvement at the upper secondary level (Form 4 and Form 5). The
difference in enrolment rates across levels of education is a cause for concern. Dropout rates
are significant among Bumiputera in Sabah and Bumiputera in Sarawak in the transition from
primary to secondary levels and from lower secondary to upper secondary.27
Figure 3.2.1: School Enrollment by Levels of Education, 1984-2016
Source: Annual Report 2016, Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, MOE; Malaysian
Educational Statistics, MOE 2014; 2015; 2016; Ahmad, H. (2012)
27 Particularly challenged are children from groups such as the hard-core poor, indigenous population, refugees
and asylum seekers, children without proper documentations and children in geographically remote areas in
Sabah and Sarawak (Samuel, Tee & Symaco, 2017). Refugees and asylum seekers, For instance, are currently not
permitted to attend national schools. However, there are learning centers run by non-governmental
organizations or faith-based groups outside the formal education.
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 2013 2014 2015 2016
Enrollment (%)
Preschool Primary Lower Secondary Upper Secondary