National Policies, Education Reforms, and Leadership Training and Development: Towards Building a Critical Force of Scholar Leaders in Malaysia

Abstract

This chapter traces the history of national and educational developments with focus and reference on school leadership development—specifically, the Malaysian Education Staff Training Institute (MESTI), which was subsequently changed to the Institut Aminuddin Baki (IAB). This chapter describes and examines the national development plan of Vision 2020 and the educational development plan—Education Blueprint 2013–2025. The developments of policy initiatives and education reforms over the years have profoundly shaped the historical developments of MESTI-IAB. Besides being responsive to national plans, MESTI-IAB has sought to provide foresight in leadership training and development taking into consideration the educational developments that have been taking place in the international scene. This chapter also critically engages in key issues on educational leadership moving from focusing merely on education, to explorations of philosophical stances.