KLUANG, Sept 23 – A special programme would be implemented at the end of this year to help students who have fallen behind or are not interested in continuing their studies to Form Four enter technical and vocational education and training (TVET), says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid said he has discussed this with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to ensure the special non-written test can be implemented by the end of this year.
“Don’t think that without SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination), there is no future. Through the TVET ecosystem, Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) 1 and 2 are equivalent to SPM, and SKM 3,4 and 5 to a diploma.
“We must provide an ecosystem for these students. The country needs workers and companies investing in the country also require a workforce among the youth,” he said at the Indian community gathering in conjunction with the Mahkota state by-election on Sunday (Sept 22).
Ahmad Zahid said he would also discuss with Indian community leaders, including MIC president Tan Sri S A Vigneswaran, to find ways to encourage young people from the community to take the SKM, which can open doors to higher education institutions without requiring SPM.
