TVET elements to be integrated into primary school curriculum

From next year, technical and vocational education (TVET) elements will be incorporated into the primary school curriculum in Malaysia, according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. The focus of this integration is to develop pupils' skills rather than directly preparing them for specific jobs. The curriculum aims to equip students with foundational competencies to adapt to future technological changes, focusing on activities involving technology, design, product creation, problem-solving, creativity, computational thinking, and safe work practices.

Besides enhancing pupils' technical abilities, the program also seeks to foster personal growth, communication, thinking skills, digital fluency, responsibility, multiliteracy, and lifelong learning.

Fadhlina elaborated on the curriculum's implementation strategy, emphasizing that project-based and experiential learning would allow students to explore simple problems, generate ideas, design, produce, test, and refine their work. In terms of infrastructure, the provision and upgrading will occur in stages, considering factors such as suitability, safety, feasibility, and the capabilities of individual schools.

To support teachers in delivering the new curriculum, Fadhlina assured the provision of clear curriculum documents, teaching and learning support materials, guidance modules, and structured training programs, delivered through both face-to-face sessions and e-learning platforms.

Responding to a question raised by Salamiah Nor (PN-Temerloh), Fadhlina provided a comprehensive overview of the introduction of TVET education in primary schools for the 2027 school session. The response covered various aspects, including curriculum content, teacher competency, facilities, and the anticipated impact on pupils' overall development.