Chance to learn and earn
TRAINING to be a barista has given 22-year-old Tan Mei Yee a sense of purpose in life.
“If I hadn’t been given the opportunity to learn and earn, I’d probably be spending most of my time at home doing nothing,” says Tan who struggled academically and socially in school.
The aspiring barista is among the 22 from her class last year who has benefitted from Pemandu’s (Performance Management Delivery Unit) initiative to finance courses designed specifically for students with special education needs (SEN) in reputable private higher education institutions.
Since 2013, Pemandu has spent RM2.23mil to fund students in the programme. It hopes this programme will encourage private institutions to offer courses for SEN students who are prepared to pay fees to learn.
This buying-of-seats programme is to enhance the quality of education and create job opportunities for special need students by partnering with the private sector, says Pemandu’s director of education Tengku Azian Shahriman. All too often, students who need special education – including those with autism, dyslexia, Down Syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder – fall through the cracks of the mainstream education system with very little prospect of employment.
Sixteen of the students in the pioneer batch completeda course in Food and Beverage while another 20 obtained certificates in Information and Communications Technology with Sunway International Business and Management.
The following year, 33 graduated with diplomas in patisserie and 38 certificates in Food and Beverage with the Berjaya University College of Hospitality (BUCH), and another 41 received certificates in Pastry Production with Sabah-based Asian Tourism International College (ATIC). This year another 42 students are pursuing courses with BUCH and ATIC.
BUCH and Sunway are now offering vocational courses to fee paying special needs students.
The Education Ministry has also started its own buying-of-seats programme. As of last year, 400 students have undergone courses such as electric and motor maintenance, tailoring, and baking. The ministry plans to recruit another 590 students this year.