MoE told to streamline IPTs entry criteria for vocational grads
SIBU: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) is urging the Ministry of Education ( MoE) to streamline the entry criteria for vocational college diploma graduates who intend to enrol in institutions of higher learning ( IPTs).
According to KGBS, this can be achieved through the Malaysian Qualifications Agency ( MQA) as well as by looking at accreditation from various angles.
“That is, (streamlining) recognition from Public Service Department (JPA) in the field of service and also for both public and private institutions of higher learning so that (questions over) vocational college graduates’ eligibility to further their studies can be settled early to avoid the arising of disappointment among them after completing their diploma studies in vocational college,” KGBS president Ahmad Malie said.
KGBS was responding to the recent article in a Malay daily titled ‘ Vocational Graduates With No SPM Not Eligible to Enter Degree Programmes’ which reported on the route for vocational college graduates to gain admission to public universities, and parents’ worries about the future of their children studying in vocational colleges.
“KGBS hopes that MoE will take heed of the experience of the first batch of graduates to strengthen the operating of vocational colleges to avoid recurrence of such issues in future,” Ahmad said.
He also hoped that MoE could provide some leeway for the first batch of vocational college graduates to enable them continue their studies either at public or private IPTs.
He reckoned that there should not be too many conditions applied as these graduates had taken a long time to complete their diplomas.
“We should not blame the graduates as in the end they are the victims in this issue.
“MoE and Ministry of Higher Education ( MoHE) should find the best solution to ensure vocational college graduates are not victims to the system which we ourselves created.”
Meanwhile, according to Bernama, MQA in a statement responding to the article, was reported as saying vocational college graduates who received Malaysian Vocational Diploma ( DVM) certificates could pursue their education at IPTs immediately, subject to meeting certain conditions.
This included having to pass the equivalent of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia-Malaysian Vocational Certificate ( SPM- SVM) set by the Malaysian Examinations Board and other conditions as may be agreed between MoE and MoHE.
MQA also said vocational college graduates still had the opportunity to pursue higher studies even though they began working early, as the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) certificate issued by MQA was in replacement of SPM and recognised by MoHE.
Ahmad pointed out since the medium of vocational college was introduced in 2013, KGBS has said that the planning must be ready from all aspects so that the graduates will not become victims to the system in future.
“The medium of vocational college is among the mediums in the national education system, and supposedly, their planning and operation should be efficient to attract the confidence of parents and students to enter vocational colleges,” he said.
Meanwhile, also according to Bernama, MoE in a statement denied that local IPTs did not recognise the DVM.
The ministry was also reported as saying vocational college graduates could apply for admission into first degree programmes via the APEL method or SPM- SVM qualification as mentioned by the MQA.