NIBONG TEBAL: The Insani Masyarakat Madani Vocational College programme will have its presence increased in schools and communities nationwide, says the Education Ministry.
Its Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the programme aims to strengthen community ties with schools, and it will be introduced to the community, particularly parents, while promoting the skills and expertise of vocational college students through exhibitions.
“The programme reaches out to the community with initiatives such as home repairs and air-conditioning maintenance in mosques and surau, through our students’ skills.
“The community’s continued support for TVET (technical and vocational education and training) is essential, especially with the Budget 2025 announcement of an increased per capita grant for TVET.
“This highlights the importance of further expanding TVET in society,” she said after the Madani Education Carnival and the Insani Masyarakat Madani Vocational College programme at SK Sungai Bakap yesterday, which attracted around 3,000 visitors, Bernama reported.
During the tabling of Budget 2025 on Oct 18, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a 15% increase in the per capita grant for TVET, raising the total allocation to over RM900mil.
The Insani Masyarakat Madani Vocational College Programme has been established as a signature initiative for vocational colleges under the ministry’s TVET Division (BPLTV).
Its purpose is to provide information on career pathways and educational opportunities in the sector while reinforcing the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the role of TVET in society.
BPLTV head Zulkernai Fauzi said the programme includes vocational colleges conducting community service projects in Felda settlements, Orang Asli villages, elder care homes and orphanages.
The activities would vary based on each college’s expertise, such as repairing houses, roofs, air-conditioning, walls and fencing.
“This programme aligns with the ‘karamah insaniah’ concept, which instils values of respect, ethics, and integrity, offering students the chance to demonstrate that community service should be a continuous commitment,” he said.
The programme was implemented nationwide including in Kelantan, Pahang and Johor.
In the Penang zone, the programme has been active since Oct 15, with participation from the Nibong Tebal, Butterworth, Batu Lanchang, Seberang Perai, Balik Pulau and Sungai Petani 1 vocational colleges, as well as SM Teknik Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.
Each Penang zone vocational college involves 12 students and three lecturers across three communities in the Nibong Tebal constituencies of Sungai Acheh, Sungai Bakap and Jawi.
The highlight of the programme was yesterday’s Madani Education Carnival, where the vocational colleges showcased their course offerings, innovation products, beauty and grooming services, products, free electrical appliance repair and free oil change services.
