MASYARAKAT TEMPATAN SEBAGAI PENGGERAK PENDIDIKAN DI KELANTAN, 1909-1941

LOCAL COMMUNITY AS EDUCATION CATALYST IN KELANTAN, 1909-1941

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the efforts and initiatives taken by the local community to develop the educational aspect of the state of Kelantan until 1941. The educational policies designed by the British are directed to achieve the colonial goal, which are economic gains. In order to achieve the goal, they need to ensure the political stability of the state. The education for the locals is aim to retain them in the traditional work field following the footsteps of the ancestors while English education provided to the children of the elite members of society was for them to serve in state administration and became supporters of British Imperialism. Realizing these constraints, locals came forward to mobilize various initiatives to develop the state's education system further. This paper discusses the Malay communities' efforts and initiatives in Kelantan, especially intellectuals, Malay officers, and Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) in propelling and developingeducation in the state. This study uses qualitative methods involving data collection and evaluation from primary sources obtained from the National Archives of Malaysia, National Library of Malaysia, MAIK Library, and Hamzah Sendut Library of Universiti Sains Malaysia. The findings of the study found that apart from the British, the local community has played a vital role to drive the development of education in Kelantan before the Second World War through various efforts such as applications to open new schools, endow land for school sites, collaboratively build new schools, opening people's schools, discussing issues related to education through newspapers and magazines, as well as implementing educational reformation led by Kelantan Malay officers and MAIK as local organizations in Kelantan.      

Received: 16 July 2020

Reviewed: 26 July 2020

Accepted: 8 October 2020