4 PERCEPTIONS OF LEADERSHIP AMONGST ETHNIC MALAY PUPILS IN RESIDENTIAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. NIK AHMAD HISHAM BIN ISMAIL Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF LONDON 1998 ABSTRACT PERCEPTIONS OF LEADERSHIP AMONGST ETHNIC MALAY PUPILS IN RESIDENTIAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. This thesis examines the perceptions of ethnic Malay pupils in Residential Secondary Schools (RSS) towards leadership in Malaysia. The thesis begins with a discussion on the struggle for leadership in the case of a multi-ethnic society like Malaysia. The thesis examines the circumstances that led to ethnic Malays' struggle for survival' through the policies of education. The thesis acknowledges that the establishment of the RSS was part of the ethnic Malays' struggle for survival' and has since become an important source for ethnic Malay leadership in Malaysia. The research framework has been developed using the concepts of leadership and elitism. In this study, the government has acted as the catalyst for modernising the ethnic Malay community. Thus, the RSS, as a governmental institution, is considered as playing an important role in selecting pupils who are expected to become the future leaders in Malaysia. The major research questions are: (a) what are the perceptions of ethnic Malay pupils towards education?; (b) what is the selection process for ethnic Malay pupils into the RSS?; (c) how do the RSS operate?; (d) What are the perceptions of ethnic Malay pupils towards leadership? and; (e) what are the perceptions of ethnic Malay pupils towards leadership in Malaysia? The quantitative data are analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Chi-Square analysis. The results are presented using frequency tables and significant values for the hypothetical analysis. The qualitative data are analysed using categorization and comparison. The results are presented using frequency tables and rankings. In addition, documentary analysis is used to complement the results in this research. In general, the results of the study show that there are both similarities and differences in the perceptions of pupils towards the importance of education, leadership and in particular leadership in Malaysia. The results show that pupils are indifferent in their perceptions towards education. However, the study would suggest that the role of education for national development, especially for ethnic Malays, may reflect the objectives and aims of the government for future ethnic Malay leadership in Malaysia. The results also show that pupils' perceptions towards leadership in general and leadership in the context of Malaysia are different in terms of their SES, demographic area, and academic achievements. The study suggests that religion, culture and ethnicity are still important factors for leadership in Malaysia. DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my mother, Rafeah Kassim, my grandmother Aishah Mohammed Nor, my late grandfather, Almarhum Kassim Yaacob and my late father, Almarhum Ismail Nik Kob for their overwhelming love, support and trust in me. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my sincere and deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Elwyn Thomas who has given me advice and constructive comments in completing my this study. I am very grateful to the Government of Malaysia, particularly Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam through Skim Latihan Anak Bumiputera/Universiti Islam Antarabangsa programme for the funding of my studies. Also, to the Head of the Residential Secondary School Unit at the Ministry of Education Malaysia and the Department of Education Kedah. Last but not least, to the teachers and pupils of Residential Secondary Schools and Normal Secondary Schools for their participation and cooperation in this study. I wish also to express my gratitude to my mentors Almarhum Professor Dr. Atan Long, Professor Dr. Ishak Rejab and Tuan Haji Abdul Aziz Sultan who persuaded and encouraged me to take up this scholarship and their moral and academic support throughout my stay in England. Also to Dr. Sahari Nordin for his constant source of intellectual inspiration and academic support. Special thanks also to all the staff at the Department of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia for their technical assistance and support. My special thanks go to my wife, Wan Nureta, for her constant moral support and love throughout my stay in England. I am also thankful to Dr. Mohamed Yaacob and Maheran Omar for their support and trust in my academic ability. I wish also to thank my in-laws Wan Abdul Mutallib Embong and Nuriah Mohd Salleh for their constant support. My list of appreciation will not be completed without mentioning my family members especially Nik Azizah, Nik Mat Fauzi, Nik Hafizah, Nik Zuraini, Ghulam Azhar, Sabehah Kassim, Fadzilah Kassim and Saiful Bahri for their encouragement, support and undivided love throughout my study in England. May Allah bless them all. I thank Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala the Most Magnificent and the Most Merciful for His blessings, I seek His guidance and kindness, AMEN. ii ABBREVIATION EDSK EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF KEDAH EPRD EDUCATION PLANNING AND RESEARCH DIVISION KBSM KURIKULUM BERSEPADU SEKOLAH MENENGAH (Integrated Curriculum for Secondary School) KB SR KURIKULUM BARU SEKOLAH RENDAH (New Curriculum for Primary School) MARA MAJLIS AMANAH RAKYAT (Council of Trust for Indigenous People) MCKK MALAY COLLEGE KUALA KANGSAR NEP NEW ECONOMIC POLICY NSS NORMAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS PERNAS PERBADANAN NASIONAL (National Corporation) PMR PEPERIKSAAN MENENGAH RENDAH (Lower Secondary Examination) RSS RESIDENTIAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS SEDC STATE ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SPM SIJIL PELAJARAN MALAYSIA (Malaysia Certificate of Education) UDA URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY UPSR UJIAN PEPERIKSAAN SEKOLAH RENDAH (Primary School Evaluation Test) iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: Leadership Phenomenon And Ethnic Malays Page 1.1 Introduction - 1 1.2 The Future and The Malays 1 1.3 Context to the Problem.and.the.Statement.of .Problem. 17 1.4 Research Questions 23 1.5 Aims of the Study 25 1.6 Significance of the Study 25 1.7 Scope of the Study 25 1.8 Presentation of This Thesis 26 1.9 Summary 28 CHAPTER 2: Education For Ethnic Malays' Leadership 2.1 Introduction. 29 2.2 Malaysia - A Brief Encounter 29 2.3 Early Perceptions of The Malays 35 2.4 The Quranic Schools 40 2.5 The Introduction of Secular Education 43 2.5.1 Education Before World War Two 54 2.5.2 Education During and After NEP 63 2.6 Summary 69 CHAPTER 3: Leadership 3.1 Introduction. 70 3.2 Leadership - The Phenomenon 70 3.3 The Development of Leadership Theory 72 3.3.1 The Trait Phase 73 3.3.2 The Behavioural Phase 75 3.3.3 The Situational Phase 77 3.4 Types of Leadership 80 3.5 The Leadership of Transformation - Introduction 89 3.5.1 Values and Conflicts 93 3.5.2 Selectivity 97 3.5.3 Interdependency 100 3.5 Summary 104 iv CHAPTER 4: Elites Page 4.1 Introduction. 106 4.2 Elites - Introduction 106 4.3 Elites and Leadership 110 4.4 Elites and Education 115 4.5 Public/ Independent or Private Schools System 128 4.5.1 The Malay College Kuala Kangsar 135 4.6 Summary 138 CHAPTER 5: Conceptual Framework 5.1 Introduction 140 5.2 Research Methods in Education 140 5.3 Early Formation of Conceptual Framework 145 5.4 Summary of The Pilot Studies 146 5.4.1 Objectives of The Pilot Studies 146 5.4.2 First Pilot Study 147 5.4.3 Second Pilot Study 150 5.5 Conceptual Framework for the Research 151 5.6 Summary 156 CHAPTER 6: Research Design and Methodology 6.1 Introduction. 157 6.2 Population 157 6.3 Sample 157 6.3.1 Random Selection 158 6.3.2 Sample Size 159 6.3.3 The Estimation of True Population Proportion Using Confidence Interval 160 6.4 Sample and Sample Size of The Research 163 6.5 Methods of Data Collection 164 6.5.1 Method 1: Survey 164 6.5.2 Method 2: Documentary Analysis 173 6.6 Data Collection Procedures 173 6.7 Research Questions in the Instruments 176 6.7.1 Instrument A: Questionnaire 176 6.7.2 Instrument B: Small Group Discussion 178 6.7.3 Instrument C: Interview 180 6.8 Research Design and Analysis 184 6.8.1 The Chi-Square Test 184 6.8.2 Justification for Hypotheses Testing 187 6.8.3 Categorization and Comparison of Qualitative Data 190 6.9 Summary 193 v CHAPTER 7: Education for Ethnic Malays: Indications and Page Implications for Future Development 7.1 Introduction. 194 7.2 Data Analysis and Results 194 7.3 Ethnic Malay Pupils and Education. 195 7.3.1 Pupils' Perceptions Towards School Culture 195 7.3.2 Pupils' Reasons for Choosing School. 199 7.3.3 Pupils' Expectation of Schooling 202 7.3.4 Pupils' Perceptions of Skills Learned in School 205 7.3.5 Pupils' Ambitions 207 7.4 The Selection of Pupils Into Residential Secondary Schools 210 7.4.1 Selection of Pupils Into RSS Based on Socio-Economic Status 210 7.4.2 Selection of Pupils Into RSS Based on Examination Results 212 7.4.3 Selection of Pupils Into RSS Based on Demographic Area 214 7.5 Operational Aspects of Residential Secondary Schools 216 7.5.1 Residential Secondary Schools' Organizational Structure 216 7.5.2 Financial Aspect of Residential Secondary Schools 220 7.5.3 Objectives of Residential Secondary Schools 220 7.6 Summary 225 CHAPTER 8: Leadership: Pupils' Perceptions In Two Types of Schools 8.1 Introduction. 226 8.2 Data Analysis and Results 226 8.3