PETALING JAYA: The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) will focus on four areas of human capital development for the education sector.

       The report states these areas are; improving the quality of education, transforming technical and vocational education (TVET), strengthening lifelong learning and increasing the efficiency of the labour market to meet industry demand.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) said this when tabling the five-year (2021-2025) development roadmap after Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Sept 27).

       Under the government’s selected targets for the plan, it wants to be at par with the international average for the Programme for International Student Assessment and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study score; to achieve more than or equal to the universal enrolment of preschool and secondary school students, which is 95%; and to achieve 86.7% graduate employability in higher education institutions and public TVET institutions.

       The plan’s focus is to also see two public universities in the top 100 QS World University Rankings.

       Through the 12MP, the government will focus on realigning the labour market for inclusive and sustainable growth, as well as developing future-ready talent.

       “The focus will be on increasing job opportunities for Malaysians, achieving equitable CE, improving labour participation and strengthening the labour market support.

       “Strategies to produce future-ready talent will include improving the quality of academic and training programmes, ensure equitable learning outcomes, leveraging on emerging technologies and strengthening the governance,” the report said.