IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC EDUCATION POLICY PLAN AT MICRO-LEVEL CONTEXTS: MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES

Abstract

The relationship between the concept of implementation and policy has often been a subject of unending debates and controversy among relevant scholars, policy analysts, politicians, administrators and professionals alike, particularly in the field of public education. As suggested by many scholars of public education policy, successful implementation of centrally planned education program depends, in almost all instances, upon linkages in an implementation chain, especially between different departments and organizations at the local management level, and more importantly at the micro-level context in the classroom.
This paper intends to analyze the critical role of major departmental players and organizational stakeholders in the strategy of implementing the latest macro-level education policy plan of Malaysia, which is labeled as ‘Malaysia Education Blueprint’ 2013-2025 (Preschool to Post-Secondary Education). The paper takes the position that the ‘Blueprint’ is a strategic and long-term policy plan, which is somewhat different from the normal series of the ‘FiveYear Education Development Plan’ of Malaysia. However, the critical questions that need to be discussed are varied and plentiful particularly with respect to the constraints in the implementation process, and especially in terms of the preconditions necessary to a achieve a meaningful implementation of the Blueprint. The paper is also intended to posit some strategic management and leadership approaches against formidable challenges in the transformation process of public education in Malaysia.