Anwar: Govt to make it easier for disabled to join TVET programmes

The government will loosen eligibility requirements to make it easier for persons with disabilities (PwD) to enrol in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will inform Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the TVET Council, to implement the matter.

“I will tell him that although there is some flexibility for PwDs currently, do not make the requirements too strict, such as (having) both hands. It should be based on capabilities so that we will give some flexibility.

“Insya Allah, this can (be implemented),” he said when replying to a participant in the ‘Temu Anwar’ dialogue programme at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai today.

A PwD and an alumnus of UTM had asked the prime minister about measures the government took to allocate one percent of job opportunities in the public service to the PwD group.

The participant also stressed the need to review the eligibility requirements for PwD to be enrolled in TVET programmes.

Anwar said he will raise the matter in the cabinet meeting to ensure all government agencies and ministries comply.

In addition, he said the government will study the possibility of establishing a secondary-level special education school in Johor to enable PwD students to further their studies after completing primary school.

This was primarily for those with hearing impairment similar to the one in Penang.

Cabinet decision

“I will raise this matter. I didn’t know (of Johor not having such a school), hence the reason for this Temu Anwar programme, which is to listen to the people, despite some quarters criticising the programme.

“What is wrong with hearing out (problems like these)? It's not that we have to agree to everything.

“If I can’t answer, I raise it in the cabinet. Insya-Allah (proposal to establish a secondary special education school) will be part of the immediate plans,” he said.

To another participant’s question on the proposed ‘Kad Siswa Rahmah’, a discount card for university students mooted by the late former domestic trade and cost of living minister Salahuddin Ayub, Anwar said it will also be brought to the cabinet.

Some 4,000 students, educators and public members attended the ‘Temu Anwar’ dialogue session.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and UTM vice-chancellor Prof Ahmad Fauzi Ismail.

- Bernama