The system is divided into five main stages, with 11 years of primary and secondary education being the core:
A defining aspect of Malaysian student life is the prevalence of "Tuition" (extra classes). Due to the exam-centric nature of the system and high competition for university placement, a vast majority of students attend private tuition centers after school hours. This creates a "second school" dynamic, leaving students with limited free time. The system is divided into five main stages,
Children enter primary school at age seven. For six years, they focus on building core literacy, numeracy, and foundational skills. Parents can choose between two main types of public primary schools: they focus on building core literacy