Truly improve technical and vocational education

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Federal Government must truly improve technical and vocational education, regardless of race or colour. Good technical and vocational education is one of the factors in the development of a country.

On 22.10.2010, Dr Tan continues to be concerned with the state of technical and vocational education in Malaysia.

In the June session of parliament, the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin answered my question on technical and vocational education, reassuring me that the Federal Government would like to have better techinical and vocational education in the country. It is clear that in the last ten years, there has been very slow progress in this field of education. About 10% of students enrol in this. In developed countries such as Finland and Germany, the figures are 60-70%.

In Malaysia, many youths join private companies as apprentices, learning to be skilled workers.

The Education Ministry aims to get 100% enrolment in technical and vocational scools. Its Technical and Vocational Education Department will be increasing the number of courses from 6 fields to 11 fields, such as having 5 more vocational secondary schools, introducing vocational courses in state secondary schools and turning a few secondary schools into vocational schools. The Ninth Malaysia Plan allocates RM86 million for technical and vocational courses.

2011 budget intensifies training and technical courses such as allocating RM470 million to raise productivity and skills of non-graduate youths and workers. We are looking at this closely. We hope the Government will be able to make the best of this allocation.

Normally, the Government sends people to study the state of technocal and vocational education in advanced countries. Is it applying some of the methods which are suitabe for this country?

I have told Tan Sri Muhyiddin that I shall follow up this matter.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw