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Professional Principal Training Related to the Implementation of Multicultural Early Childhood Education in Malaysia

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Tang Keow Ngang, Anna Christina Abdullah and Mellissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah

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 Multicultural education is a philosophical concept built on the ideals of freedom, justice, equality, equity, and human dignity as acknowledged in the document of Malaysian national philosophy of education. It affirms our need to prepare our children for their responsibilities in an interdependent world. It recognizes the role of preschools can play in developing the attitudes and values necessary for a democratic society. Through professional development will help preschool principals to have full understanding of multicultural preschool education practice. Since principals who are managing diversity have potential impact on teachers’ and children’s developing attitudes towards cultural diversity, it is essential that preschool principals undergo and receive appropriate professional training which incorporate the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes for such a responsibility. Principals must be multicultural literacy and capable of including and embracing families and communities to create an environment that is supportive of multiple perspectives, experiences, and democracy.  This paper will discuss the findings of a study on multicultural preschool education and principals’ professional training conducted in Malaysia. The aim of the study is to determine the extent to which the preschool principals’ professional training assists them when they incorporate multicultural education in their preschool management. A survey was conducted including 67 preschool principals in Kedah state, northern part of Malaysia.  The data was collected through questionnaire using four point Likert scale. Quantitative  analysis was employed to obtain the answers related to preschool principals’ professional training when incorporating multicultural education in their organizational practices.

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Multicultural education, professional training, preschool principal