Because of large student populations, many public schools operate in two shifts: a morning session (typically 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM) and an afternoon session (starting around 1:00 PM). The Canteen Culture:

The backbone of the nation is the Sekolah Kebangsaan (National School). Here, the medium of instruction is Bahasa Melayu (Malay). Students follow the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) for primary and Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah (KSSM) for secondary.

The SPM is a national event. For two months at the end of Form 5, students face a battery of written, oral, and practical exams. The results determine access to university, scholarships, and even career paths. This leads to a cottage industry of private tutoring ("tuition")—it is common for students to attend school from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, then rush to a tuition center until 5:00 or 6:00 PM, and then complete homework at night.

Recess is a highlight, where students gather at the canteen to enjoy affordable local favorites like nasi lemak mee goreng Holistic Education & Extracurriculars Grade Equivalency | Sunway International Schools