Conducive learning: The Keningau Vocational College classrooms are designed to ensure good teacher-student engagement.
THE Education Ministry is committed to providing a conducive environment and learning access for students with special educational needs (SED) to master vocational skills starting from the school level.
The ministry’s Special Education Division director Salmah Jopri said SED students interested in learning skills can enrol at any of the four special education vocational secondary schools (SMPKV) nationwide, namely, SMPKV Shah Alam (Selangor), SMPKV Kuantan (Pahang), SMPKV Indahpura (Johor), SMPKV Merbok (Kedah), and Keningau Vocational College (Sabah).
She said they also have the option of enrolling in the Integrated Education Programme (PPKI), which offers the Secondary Vocational Programme (PVMA) course.
“Keningau Vocational College has paved the way for students with special needs to continue their studies,” she said, adding that the students at the college fall under the hearing impaired and learning disabled categories.
Depending on the institute chosen, Salmah said the student would either obtain a Full Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) offered at SMPKV, or a Modular SKM offered at schools with PPKI.
SMPKV, she said, offers all the competency units for a particular course whereas PPKI only offers some of the competency units.
SMPKV graduates will receive an SKM (Skilled) while PPKI students will obtain a Statement of Achievement (PC) according to the competence units completed.
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It takes two years to complete Level 1 and 2 of the Full SKM and three years if they want to reach Level 3.
Those on the modular track will require four years beginning with Form Two.
However, added Salmah, this is only for those with simple functionality and only for specific vocational skills.
According to Salmah, the skill syllabus used is based on the national skills standard developed by the Department of Skills Development (JPK).
She said academic subjects that were specially designed based on the Curriculum and Assessment Standard Document (DSKP) produced by the Education Ministry, were also taught to the students.
“The subjects are Malay, English, Mathematics, Social and Environmental Science Education, Islamic Education, Moral Education, Visual Arts Education and Physical and Health Education,” she said, adding that among the cocurricular activities carried out in these schools are uniform bodies, clubs and associations, sports and games.
She added that after graduation, students with SED will continue their studies at the college and university level or start a career in the chosen field.
Those with a Full SKM can continue their education to higher levels at the National Skills Building Institute, Johor Skills College and National Craft Institute, she said.Being part of the PPKI means these SED students will be studying alongside their counterparts in the mainstream education system.
Hence, they would also be sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia for the Bahasa Melayu, English Language and History subjects, as well as the skills stream subjects to obtain the SKM under the JPK.
Students in SMPKV, on the other hand, will be assessed by the JPK with the goal of obtaining their SKM.
As for those who follow Specific Vocational Skills based on the Standard Curriculum of Special Secondary Education (KSSMPK), they will be assessed according to the Modular Programme Skills Certificate requirements.
Those eligible are Malaysian students enrolled in government or government-aided schools.
These students, however, must be able to take care of themselves and do not have serious discipline issues.
They also need to have a healthy body without any chronic diseases (heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures and other diseases) that would affect their practical work.
These students are also required to produce a letter from either a government or private service medical practitioner, optician, audiologist or psychologist as the case may be, to certify that they are healthy, or they must hold a disabled person (OKU) card issued by the Department of Social Welfare (JKMM) for the purpose of applying for the SED student allowance (EMK).
Salmah said the skills pathway is designed to ensure that students receive maximum exposure from the get-go.
“The aim is to equip them with everything they need to prepare them before they enter the working world. To ensure optimal results, these courses are regulated by the JPK.
“After successful training, students will be given an SKM which is recognised in various industries.“In this era of globalisation, SED students will face many challenges. We are very committed and always ready to help them meet the needs of the job market,” she said.
These students can still lead a dignified life, she said, adding that they can get jobs as a chef, tailor, batik producer, aesthetician, electrical technician, and air conditioner maintenance technician.“There are many other roles that they can take on in the hospitality industry,” she said.
