Putrajaya: The National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 is expected to significantly increase student participation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), helping to dispel the long-held perception of the pathway as a 'second choice'.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a senior lecturer at the Department of Advanced TVET, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Dr Muhamad Afzamiman Aripin, stated that the RPN clearly positions TVET as a core pillar of the national education system in producing highly skilled and future-ready human capital. The key mechanism to achieve this objective is the introduction of the Malaysian Learning Matrix at Year Four and Form Three levels, which enables students' potential and talents to be identified at an earlier stage.
Muhamad Afzamiman explained that this approach allows selection into Vocational Colleges, the Upper Secondary Vocational Programme (PVMA), and the Upper Secondary School Industry Apprenticeship Programme (PIMA) to be carried out more systematically, based on students' genuine abilities rather than chance. He emphasized that the skills under the RPN extend beyond basic competencies, focusing on practical and technical skills aligned with future industry needs and requiring students to operate at the highest levels of thinking as outlined in Bloom's Taxonomy.
However, the success of the RPN implementation will also depend on addressing critical challenges, including economic disparities, teacher workload, facility readiness, and the mental health and well-being of both educators and students. Reflecting on past progress, the Malaysia Education Blueprint (PPPM) 2013-2025 saw TVET enrolment rise from 4.6 per cent in 2013 to 11.14 per cent in 2024. Nevertheless, further improvements are needed to achieve the 20 per cent enrolment target, particularly through the implementation of the RPN.
Dr Muhamad Afzamiman noted that the RPN 2026-2035 represents a 'reset' of Malaysia's educational future, reinforced through the 2027 Education Curriculum with a strong emphasis on competency development, character building, unity, and nurturing students' potential as global citizens. Looking ahead to the 2035 target, he highlighted the importance of preparing through three key phases: reshaping societal perceptions to elevate the prestige of TVET, expanding access to support systems, and strengthening graduate employability through close collaboration with industry.
The PRN 2026-2035 was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 20 in Putrajaya and is jointly led by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) through the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 and the Ministry of Education through the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035.