KUCHING: Education should not be centred solely on academic excellence but must also be supported by alternative pathways, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), to meet the demands of the future workforce, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said.
He said the education system should adopt a more holistic approach by providing students with multiple learning pathways that match their interests and potential.
According to Fadillah, this is crucial to ensuring every student has the opportunity to build a successful future through different educational routes, particularly TVET, which is playing an increasingly important role in the nation’s economic development.
“Sarawak is moving towards becoming a high-income economy by 2030 through initiatives such as the green economy, digital economy and renewable energy.
“These sectors require human capital that is not only academically excellent but also highly skilled and capable of contributing to technical fields and innovation,” he said when speaking at the RISE Outstanding Students Incentive Presentation Ceremony at SMK Sains Kuching Utara here today (June 28).
Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP, said schools play a vital role in laying the foundation for higher education and producing quality human capital.
“We want to produce students who not only excel in examinations but are also able to choose educational pathways that are relevant to future industry needs,” he said.
The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister added that the Sarawak government has allocated substantial funding for higher education, including state-owned universities, to ensure Sarawakians have access to strategic and high-impact fields of study.
Commenting on the incentive presentation ceremony, Fadillah congratulated the 150 recipients on their outstanding achievements in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
He said their success reflected not only the students’ hard work but also the dedication of their teachers, the support and prayers of their parents, and a conducive learning environment.
Fadillah said initiatives such as the RISE programme go beyond recognising academic excellence by providing support programmes, including the SPMSTAR Workshop, which equips students with examination preparation, answering techniques, study strategies and motivational guidance.
“We are equally committed to ensuring that no student is left behind in our efforts to strengthen the country’s education system.
“This approach is important to ensure every student is given the opportunity to succeed,” he said.
During the ceremony, RM75,000 was allocated through the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency, with each of the 150 outstanding students receiving RM500.
