KEPALA BATAS: To ensure no one is left wanting in the national education process, the education ministry will set up 10 more community colleges in the country next year, in addition to the existing 90.
“Rather than spend three to four years to put up new buildings and slash the expenditure, we will rent two to three shoplots to carry out programmes based on the suitability of the site.
“Thus, what would be needed are the staff salaries and equipment at the community colleges,” said Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
He was speaking at a media conference after attending a 2014 Lebaran Qaseh ceremony: ‘Community College with Industry, Entreprenuers and Community’ at the Kepala Batas Community College here yesterday.
Also present was Department of Community Colleges director-general Datuk Amir Md Noor.
He also launched two books on smart partnerships of community colleges with industry and entrepreneurs which the commuity college had produced.
Idris said having more community colleges – whose locations had been shortlisted – would offer more high-tech and high value-based programmes, in line with the current local needs.
“Community colleges offer demand-driven courses. Not necessary for all colleges to engage in hybrid courses. If a location is a tourism spot, we may offer a hospitality course,” he added.
Idris said 1.3 million Malaysians, aged between 13 and 70, had attended training and short courses in community colleges nationwide.
He noted that the marketability of the graduates was 91.3 per cent, indicating value-added and competitiveness. —Bernama
On a statement by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin urging the government to empower the education system at national schools to match the quality of education at vernacular schools, Idris said the government was committed on the matter via programmes implemented under the Malaysian National Education Plan. — Bernama