Patterns of social interaction amongst pupils of multi-ethnic groups in national secondary schools in Sg. Petani, Kedah
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Date
2005
Authors
Mohd. Yusof, Najeemah
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the social interaction among
students of various ethnic groups in Malaysia. The focus is mainly on Malays,
Chinese and Indians from the National Primary Schools, National Schools,
Chinese National Type Primary Schools and Tamil National Type Primary
Schools in National Secondary Schools which has a multiethnic environment in
Sungai Petani in the district of Kedah. The theoretical background for this study
encompasses Contact Theory, Rational Choice Theory and Bronfenbrenner
Ecological Development Theory. The study sample comprised of 720 students
from form 1, 2 and 4 in six National Secondary Schools. This research applies
the Qual-Quan model to answer the research questions. For the qualitative
method, the researcher used focus group interviews and observations to
examine social interactions among students of various ethnic groups. For the
quantitative method, descriptive and inference statistics was applied to analyse
the data. Data collection was based on questionnaires which consist of items
on students demographic background, usage of Bahasa Melayu in everyday
conversation at school, ethnic boundary, prejudice and stereotyping, interaction
in the classroom, interaction outside the classroom, role of teachers and
administrators, social distance, rational choice and friendship patterns.In this
research there is one independent variable to explain and predict eleven
dependent variables. Hypotheses were analysed using post-hoc, factor
analysis and multivariate analysis at a p>0.05 significance level. Findings of
study indicated there were significant difference in the mean score levels for all
the dependent variables.
This study revealed the following results. Firstly, there was a significant
difference (p>0.05) in the mean score level for all dependent variables with
students from form 1, 2 and 4. Secondly, there was a significant difference in
the mean score level for all the dependent variables for students from the
National Primary Schools, National Schools, Chinese National Type Primary
Schools and Tamil National Type Primary Schools in National Secondary
Schools. Results of the study showed that social interaction among students
from National Primary Schools were better compared to the other students.
Students from Chinese National Type Primary School conversed less in Bahasa
Melayu compared to the other ethnic groups and the Indian students
experienced streotyping the most. Study also showed high social distance
scale among students from Chinese and Tamil National Type Primary Schools.
Thirdly, there was a difference in the clusters and prediction for all the
dependent variables examined. Fourthly, all the dependent variables effected
the social interaction among students from the National Primary School,
National School, Chinese National Type Primary School and Tamil National
Type Primary School in National Secondary School. Based on the results,
various suggestions have been recommended and it is hoped that these
suggestions will help those involved in teaching and learning to have a better
understanding concerning social interaction among Malay, Chinese and
Indian students in National Secondary Schools.
Description
PhD
Keywords
Education , Social interaction , Multi-ethnic groups