‘Conduct skills courses for school dropouts’
MIRI: The Ministry of Higher Education has been urged to come up with special courses for youths who fail their public examinations including those without Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificates.
According to Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is the chairman of Kolej Komuniti Miri Advisory Panel, such students are the ones who are in need of skills education to help them earn a living.
“Even though they do not have SPM certificate and failed their public examination, they can still learn certain skills to help them earn a living. But all the courses we have require at least an SPM certificate, so those without the needed certificate are not eligible to apply,” he said.
Lee, who is also Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said the panel would write to the Minister of Higher Education with the suggestion that special skills courses be created for this target group.
“We need to take care of such students. Even though they do not have the needed academic qualification, but have the interest, I believe there should be courses designed especially for them,” he pointed out.
He said such courses can be designed with suitable modules which can be easily understood by the students. Those who have taken the course should also be allowed to sit for Malaysia Skills Certificate ( SKM) examination, just like other students in the institute who have SPM certificate.
Lee told reporters this in a press conference held after a meeting of the panel of advisors for Kolej Komuniti yesterday. Also present was Miri Resident, Sherrina Hussaini and Kolej Komuniti Miri director Fadil Aziz.
Meanwhile, Lee disclosed that Kolej Komuniti Miri has organised a total of 100 short courses this year which was attended by 1,500 individuals.
“These short courses come with fees as low as RM10, depending on the type of course, and are very good, especially for those who want to learn skills to make extra income for themselves.
“The courses include simple tailoring such as making baju kurung, pastry classes, intensive make-up classes, stress management workshops, basic computer classes and so on,” he said.
He added that of the 1,500 people who attended these classes, 10 per cent were disabled, 20 per cent were single mothers, 30 per cent were civil servant, while the rest were members of the local community.
“Kolej Komuniti is also planning a smartphone workshop for our local community leaders.
“This class will help our community leaders use apps that are available in their smartphones such as WhatsApp, Google and various others, to send messages, access the Internet as well as to utilise chat groups.”
By utilising these applications, Lee said it would be faster and easier for the community leaders to communicate with one another, as well as to be reached for any events, without using fax or letters which can be time consuming.