National Integration in Multicultural School Setting In Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia is a multicultural country constituting three major ethno-cultural
groups, Malay and Bumiputera, Chinese and Indian. Owing to its diverse cultures
attempts through a number of channels, politics, economics and social were
made to bring about national integration. School is thought to be the most
effective platform to bring about national integration based on the multicultural
framework. This study examines the influence of both the selected school and
student background variables on integration. The survey conducted on Form
Four and Form Five students found that integration is not monolithic but tends

to be interpreted into three frameworks or models: assimilation, multiple-
identities and multiculturalism. Ethno-religious-cultural backgrounds seem to be

much more influential than the school variables in determining not only the
strength but also student preference for a specific integration framework or
model..