SINTOK: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers who are not keen to pursue academic studies are urged to take up Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Jana Santhiran said TVET would better prepare them with proper skills before entering the job market.
"In this context the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) under the ministry can play an important role to prove technical and vocational training for the school leavers," he told reporters after opening the Young Thinkers Symposium at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) main campus here today.
The symposium was jointly organised by the ministry, the Institute of Youth Research (IYRES) and UUM.
Present were UUM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Rassayani Ismail and IYRES chief executive officer Dr P. Vellapandian.
Jana also downplayed an earlier report that over 70 per cent of SPM leavers opted not to pursue studies and preferred to enter the job market after Form 5.
"In my personal opinion, this should not be seen as crisis, as it is their decision or choice.
"If they want to get involved in academic studies, we have certain channels for them to continue their pursuit for education.
"However, there are also students who want to enter the workforce and in that context, we will help them. We recommend that they get involved in skill institutions especially in the field of TVET," he said.
A report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in 2019 revealed that over 70 per cent or 390,000 out of 560,000 SPM leavers preferred to join the workforce immediately after the examination.
The department was reported as saying only 170,000 of the SPM leavers showed interest to pursue their studies.
Jana added that the issue was among topics to be deliberated during the symposium to generate ideas for youth development.
"This programme opens up an opportunity for the youth to pitch ideas and views that can be brought to the Youth and Sports Ministry. We want to hear their voice through this symposium.
"This initiative will provide opportunities for the youth to speak up and generate ideas outside the box," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Vellapandian said the two-day symposium involved various stake-holders representing youth movement.
"During these two days we will engage with stakeholders, not only the government but also non-governmental organisations and private individuals who are involved in business," he said.
Dr Rassayani said the shift in preference among school leavers was an indication of changes that were taking shape among the younger generation.
"The statistic can be seen as a sign that times have changed. In terms of academics and education, we should adopt lifelong learning practices.
"It is not necessary anymore for SPM leavers to further studies in higher education institutions.
"Now we also see various alternatives such as micro credentials and the students can pick up skills little by little.
"The youth may continue to acquire knowledge it in a modular manner.
"This is actually the future landscape for education in Malaysia and also in the world," she said.