National movement of TVET formed
NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisations, experts, academics and stakeholders have come together to form a body called the National Movement of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education Training) Empowerment.
The movement has devised a national framework for the betterment of TVET.
“We hope to propose this framework to the Government in the coming weeks.
“Some of the parties involved in the movement include the Federation of JPK Accredited Centres (FeMac), National Council of Professors and the National Parent-Teacher Associations’ Vocational and Technical Consultative Council.
“We have had a series of discussions on how TVET should be run in our country at this point in time.
“The crisis that has befallen it isn’t about our training model not meeting international standards but its structural governance,” said FeMAC honorary advisor Nordin Abdul Malek.
Nordin said it is imperative for relevant ministries to meet stakeholders and plan the future of TVET.
FeMAC is an association comprising members who are accredited TVET training providers.
Currently, there are over 350 accredited centres in the country registered with it as members.
One of the aspects put forward in the proposal by the movement is for the Government to be clear on TVET’s funding mechanism.
“In the future, we don’t want the Government to depend only on the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) but instead, on CSR funds as well as contributions from government-linked companies and industries,” he added.
FeMAC president P. Sailanathan outlined several pivotal issues affecting TVET.
“Currently, we don’t have a representative from FeMAC in the PTPK board.
“If stakeholders are not represented in the board, who else will then speak on behalf of the private sector?” he asked.
Sailanathan also called for transparency in the funding of PTPK loans, saying it should be independent and for it to function like the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
Between 2015 and 2018, PTPK loans have been cut by 60%.
“It should come under the Finance Ministry where there is no quota.
“Every student who applies for a PTPTN loan will receive some amount of money for their education.
“However for PTPK, the loan is based on the availability of funding.”
Sharing an example, Sailanathan said when an accredited centre with 400 students, for example, applies for loans, PTPK often only has enough funding quota for 100 students, due to the limitation of funds.
Therefore, the funding mechanism should be seamless like PTPTN, he added.
FeMAC hopes Human Resource Minister M Kula Segaran can meet stakeholders.
“We want to know whether we are and will be relevant as we currently have no clear guideline for the next five years.
“Let us know your plans for TVET’s private sector.”
Give Malaysian TVET trainers opportunities as we have capable trainers, Sailanathan added.
He was commenting on Kula Segaran’s recent announcement on the Government’s plans to recruit trainers from India and Ukraine to train Malaysian TVET trainers.
On Oct 6, Bernama reported Kula Segaran as saying that the Government wants to bring India’s expertise to Malaysia and train the trainers as a collaboration between the two countries.