KUALA LUMPUR: Increased financing for the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) and more government-supervised early childhood education centres are among the key expectations of the country's youth for Budget 2025, which will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 18.
Malaysian Youth Council president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid said the corporation needs more funding as the number of students in technical and vocational education and training is increasing, as are its costs.
ALSO READ: TVET grads can earn premium salaries of up to RM4,000 in deal with several companies, says Zahid
"The government has allocated RM180mil in (Budget 2024), so we hope it will be increased (for Budget 2025) in line with current needs," he said when interviewed recently.
He said the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council's (MTVET) Sept 23 announcement of a premium salary between RM2,500 and RM4,000 for TVET graduates is expected to boost student interest in pursuing studies in the sector.
"There is a demand to enter TVET, and for skilled college staff to be expanded.
"I hope that if the government agrees to increase the funds for the corporation, it should also be extended to the National Dual Training Scheme (SLDN),” he said.
Izzat Afifi also suggested that the government increase the number of early childhood education centres such as tabika (taman bimbingan kanak-kanak) and preschool classes.
ALSO READ: Digital Minister urges Malaysian tech firms to expand locally
"The youth, especially those with families, are still struggling with low wages, the high cost of living, and relatively high private kindergarten fees.
"In my view, the addition of more kindergartens and preschools is essential, as the current facilities are insufficient and unable to (meet demand)," he said.
Meanwhile, Prihatin Malaysia president Luqman Hakim Md Zim suggested that the government expand the scholarship assistance programme in all fields of research to students at higher education institutions.
"The scholarship needs to cover all fields to empower the country's human capital and contribute to the development of education," he said.
ALSO READ: Educators urge more funding and support for schools
Luqman Hakim also recommended that the government provide an aid scheme for youth entrepreneurs to venture into the digital sector.
"This is a new opportunity that the government needs to look at because the digital economy contributes greatly to the country's GDP.
"I believe the existence of start-up companies by youth will increase the number of young entrepreneurs as well as boost the sector," he said.
On Friday (Oct 4), Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the digital economy is projected to contribute as much as 25.5% to GDP by the end of next year.
He was quoted as saying that Malaysia is on track to achieve this target, as reflected by the increase in digital investment to RM66.22bil in the first half of this year, up from RM46.2bil from the same period last year. – Bernama
