UNEMPLOYED MATURED STUDENTS - WHAT ABOUT THEM? (NIK ZAFRI)

 #KPT #KPWKM #PakatanHarapan #DrMaszlee #Maszlee #AstroAwani #NikZafri

Good day to anyone whom it may concerned

I have seen so many proudly speaks on the significance of access to proper education in Malaysia be it politician or ministers or individuals. My thumbs up to them for spending decades to raise the quality of education and higher education in Malaysia whether they are from Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional. KUDOS!

Whilst I understand, academic (and competency-based education) may not warrant a good employment nowadays, I'm not going to touch on unemployment issues among graduates in this post (I'm sure you "intellects" can figure it out by now - Suffice it to say "If our business school is so good, why...why...why...is our Malaysian business are still doing so bad?)

The problem with these education/higher education improvement efforts are that they are merely directed towards the younger generation (especially those studying in the institution of higher learnings in Malaysia). Thanks to both Government of the past and current, there are various forms of fundings such as MARA, Bursary, Scholarship, Zakat, Foundations, MyBrain, KPT and Loans such as the "famous PTPTN"; although may not be enough; but it has been proven to reduce the burden of parents who are paying more and more "expensively" just to ensure quality education for their children - That being said, I hope that education is NOT about business, it is still about educating.

Here comes the riddle :

Whilst the focus is right, and whilst we boast that "it is everyone's rights to gain access to education”, we are forgetting "the unemployed matured students" circa the age of 45 and above who still wish to study in the institution of higher learning as part of the "so-called continual learning process".

There is no problem for government officials and private sectors, as this practice of the CLP is extremely important.  The Government and Private Sectors are willing to finance their staff despite the age, to ensure further postgraduate success.

I'm really talking about those who have been LONG FORGOTTEN. "Matured students" who are unemployed". So far NOTHING at all! No fundings, No Financial Assistance. Prove me wrong!

As a Muslim, I'm also frustrated witnessing some recent events where Zakat officials saying that the financial assistance is NOT for (matured) postgraduates. Wow..Zakat is only limited to certain category of students? What an edict/fatwa! I sure hope the HRM KDYMM the YDP Agong can look into this issue.

Not to mention, the inavailability of any types assistance for those who are unemployed or freelancers - having to pay on their own exorbitant price to gain access to proper higher education in Malaysia. Many have quitted on the basis of "couldn't afford it any longer" There are so many unemployed and freelancers especially WOMEN that yearn for further education. (ah, you don't do your maths, no wonder you have forgotten them)

For decades, I still don't see ANY efforts being done to ensure "access for all" to proper education "motto" a reality to these category of matured students. We are still FAR lagging behind when it comes to continual higher education for those who are unemployed and have no access to any fundings. Folks from rural to urban can only be contented witnessing their children being aided by the Government but no one bother to ask if they themselves wants the same accreditation.

So while we are busy talking and indulging ourselves in press conferences or some "intelectual discourse" or about "the quality of education post improvement", "the impressive statistics", "the high and mighty TIVET and MQA", "the continual learning process", "bridging the gap", "scorecard" etc. which all sum up to the famous "lip service" - "EDUCATION FOR ALL", take a look of what I have said herein. It's simple and straightforward.

I thank you for your attention. Believe me, you'll be doing the rakyat a very big favour.

Akhir kata : Kesihanilah kami, lihatlah kami, pandanglah kami, kami pun nak belajar juga, tetapi biayanya tidak ada - untuk "orang tua yang tidak bekerja" seperti kami. Pencen pun tak ada. Ada Faham?