The Development of Women’s Education under Local Organizations in Kelantan, 1932–1957

The development of women’s education in this country, in general, occurred at a slower pace compared to that of men. Prior to independence, colonial education policies marginalized women’s education, citing cultural constraints and local societal mindset as reasons for the lag in women’s education. The rising awareness of women’s education led to a demand for educational opportunities, particularly in the form of schooling for women. This gave rise to the involvement of local organizations at the state level in providing educational opportunities. This study examines the role of the Kelantan Islamic Religious Council (MAIK) in the development of education in Kelantan. It is a qualitative study that utilizes primary sources from the National Archives of Malaysia and the MAIK Library and is supported by secondary sources from the National Library of Malaysia and university libraries. The study found that MAIK played a role in providing educational opportunities through schools under its administration for Kelantanese women during British colonialism. These educational opportunities helped reshape the Malay women’s perspective on education, subsequently enhancing their roles in Kelantanese society.