RPN: EARLY EMPHASIS ON TVET, STEM AIMS TO BUILD STRONG TECHNICAL FOUNDATION, INCREASE INTEREST IN TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIELDS AMONG STUDENTS - AHMAD ZAHID

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 20  (Bernama) -- Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is being mainstreamed through the National Education Blueprint  (RPN) 2026-2035 as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the development of a skilled workforce to meet future industry needs, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman, said the early emphasis on TVET and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, beginning as early as Form One, aims to build a strong technical foundation among students and increase interest in technology-based fields.

He said positive progress has already been recorded, with the employability rate of TVET graduates rising from 91.5 per cent to 99.5 per cent, reinforcing confidence that the new approach is on the right track in meeting labour market demands.

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“This is a significant leap forward, and it shows that TVET will be fully mainstreamed through the RPN,” he said when asked to comment on the launch of the RPN by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here today.

 Ahmad Zahid described the RPN as a major reform of the national education system, noting that it reintroduces structured testing and assessment.

He said the government demonstrated its commitment by reinstating assessments at the Year Four level in primary schools, while assessments at the secondary level have resumed in Form Three.

For higher education, he said the focus is on ensuring there is no mismatch between graduates’ fields of study and the jobs they eventually pursue, in line with current labour market needs.

“In this regard, we see that the necessary adjustments have been made, including a stronger emphasis on language and history. This also includes requiring the study of Malay and History subjects in religious and tahfiz schools.

“I am confident that this system also encompasses pondok schools,” he said.

The RPN 2026–2035 is a comprehensive education reform initiative aimed at building a more equitable, competitive and values-driven future generation.

The blueprint involves two ministries — the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education — and serves as a strategic national framework covering the entire education ecosystem, from schools to higher education institutions.

-- BERNAMA