LANGKAWI, 24 Feb 2018:
The Langkawi Vocational College will be the first vocational college to specialise in tourism studies, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
He said the move is in line with Langkawi’s position as an international tourist destination.
“With the establishment of the college, hotel and resort operators need not look elsewhere in search of workers as the college will be able to accommodate to their needs in three years time,” he said after launching the Ministry of Education Tour Programme at Jetty Point here yesterday.
He said related courses – such as culinary and hospitality – have been offered and more tourism-related courses would gradually be introduced in future.
“At the moment we have about 100 students in the respective courses and we hope to have more students as jobs are readily available here.”
Mahdzir earlier said the government spends an average of RM8,900 for each student annually, in meeting the provision of the Education Act – which requires access to free education for every child.
He said about five million pupils are enjoying free education nationwide.
On the tour programme, he said the event gave ministry staff and the community the opportunity to interact with one another in an effort to further improve access to quality education.
He said this two-day programme in Langkawi was previously held in Kajang, Selangor – adding that the following programmes would be organised in Pasir Puteh (Kelantan), Parit Buntar (Perak), Temerloh (Pahang) and Tawau (Sabah).
– Bernama