Combining Education and Work; Experiences in Asia and Oceania: Malaysia.

Overview & Synopsis

Work oriented education has been tied to national development in Malaysia since the 1960's. Increasing population, unemployment, and shortages of skilled manpower led the government to relate education more closely to work and develop technical and vocational education. Malaysia extended basic education to lower secondary manpower needs; and balanced general, vocational, and technical education. Under the system of mandatory prevocational training introduced at lower secondary levels in 1965, students receive both theory and practice in either industrial arts, agricultural science, home science, or commerce. Upper secondary students attend Technical Schools, which provide technically biased academic education leading to university studies or Vocational Schools, which develop employable skills and a vocationally biased education. Established in 1968, the 23 Vocational Schools provide fundamental scientific knowledge and broad-based skills in order to produce flexible workers adaptable to changing manpower needs. Two Polytechnic Colleges, training middle level engineering technicians and junior business executives, and several Teacher Training Colleges exist. Many nonformal education programs find acceptance among the large youth population. Government agencies, welfare institutions, and private industry provide a wide range of apprenticeships, training, and trade courses. (SB)