THE Education Ministry announced three new initiatives today to expand the roles of community colleges nationwide, including empowering pondok schools to host degree and diploma-level programmes.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik said the “pondok perdana” initiative will empower such schools, traditionally thought of as centres of religious education, to provide pupils technical and vocational training, and allow them to continue at the Jeli community college and polytechnic college.

The initiative is a collaboration with Pertubuhan Pondok Perdana, a civil society group currently working with a number of pondok schools.

The other initiatives are the “makers’ market” and “ACES”.

ACES will afford secondary school-leavers and targeted communities access to community colleges via apprenticeship, professional certification, entrepreneurship and preparatory certification.

The ministry will also establish learning spaces for pupils to work on projects in collaboration with industry players.

“The makers’ market will be a centre for Industry 4.0-themed competitions, and a platform to share ideas, explore new skills, and produce inventions and innovations,” said Maszlee.

The market is a collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and ME.REKA, an educational centre based in Kuala Lumpur.

“Besides the matriculation programme, pupils should also consider technical and vocational training.

“SPM leavers should consider community colleges as among their main options,” said Maszlee.

There are currently 103 community colleges nationwide, 93 of which are central colleges and the other 10 being branch colleges managed by the Polytechnic and Community College Education Department. – April 26, 2019.