The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) has proposed that a single agency be set up to coordinate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to make it more manageable and focused through the Ekonomi MADANI launched today.
NUTP president Aminuddin Awang said this is because various efforts have been made to empower TVET before but the results have been less than encouraging.
“The main problem in this country is that there are too many ministries, agencies and organisations that organise TVET programmes.
“The time has come for TVET in this country to pave the way towards producing a highly skilled workforce in line with the development of technology around the world,” he told Bernama today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when launching the Ekonomi MADANI initiative, among other things, wanted the country’s education to be more demand-oriented by strengthening cooperation between industries and employers, especially in the implementation of TVET as undertaken at the Penang Skills Development Centre.
For the education sector, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) project will also continue under the economic framework to ensure that all schools are equipped with the internet.
In this regard, Aminuddin suggested that the government give more attention to the issue of information and communication technology (ICT) facilities for schools which, according to him, are in poor condition.
“This has resulted in teachers having to use their own equipment, especially laptops, to carry out administrative and teaching duties.
“The implementation of various courses related to digitalisation also needs to be held face-to-face for teachers, especially senior teachers, so that they are not stressed by the rapid development of information technology,” he said.
Aminuddin said NUTP welcomes every initiative in the education sector as announced by Anwar, especially the government’s commitment towards a conducive environment and the best facilities for school students, but the increase in allocations for school maintenance needs to be expedited.
“NUTP is also very happy and grateful to the prime minister when the issue of dilapidated schools is also given attention. Therefore, this issue cannot just be a lip service of the relevant parties but needs to be expressed in more effective implementation,” he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
