BEIJING: Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the 10,160 students who did not sit for the 2023 SPM exam to further their studies in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Zahid, the national TVET council chairman, also advised these students and their parents not to be disheartened as TVET is the ‘answer’ for them to build a career for the future.
“This does not mean TVET is the second or third choice, but it is a second opportunity to study,” he told reporters during his official visit to China today.
Zahid said TVET was also suitable for less outstanding students because it comprises 70% workshop and laboratory training.
On Monday, education director-general Azman Adnan said 10,160 out of the 383,685 candidates did not sit for the examination.
Zahid also said he would seek the help of all media chief editors in Malaysia to promote TVET as the first choice for students to further their studies and to intensify the TVET awareness campaign.
“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also asked for this campaign, which will not succeed without media support.
“I plan to give a briefing to chief editors and news editors regarding the TVET programmes because we will launch the national TVET policy on June 8,” he said.
Zahid is on his first official trip to China since assuming the role of deputy prime minister in December 2022. His visit, from May 22 to June 1, is at the invitation of China’s vice-premier Ding Xuexiang.
