The Education and Youth Development Bureau’s (DSEDJ) Non-tertiary Education Council said yesterday that it will consider supporting private secondary schools to convert part of their current theory-based commerce and engineering subjects into vocational courses.
The chief of the bureau’s Division of Secondary Education, Leong I On, made the remarks during a press conference after the government-appointed council’s third regular closed-door meeting of the year when introducing Macau’s non-tertiary vocational and technical education system.
The press conference was held at the bureau.
According to the bureau, the aim of the new system is to train more local skilled professionals.
Leong noted that there are currently nine secondary schools offering 40 vocational courses, with about 1,000 students.
Leong underlined that, according to the bureau’s data, nearly 90 percent of the vocational and technical education students choose to continue their studies, adding that there was no difference between them and students in the general arts and science segment in their choice of further education, pointing out that they also have the opportunity to enter university.
Leong said that the bureau will work with schools and enterprises to provide more internship and employment opportunities for students, and that vocational and technical education provides early exposure to professional fields and offers the students a dual certificate upon graduation.
Leong said the bureau will step up promotion to allow students’ parents to understand that the courses are compatible with the needs of civil society and the labour market. He underlined that all the courses are officially accredited.
DSEDJ Chief of Division of Secondary Education Leong I On addresses yesterday’s press conference after the Non-tertiary Education Council’s third regular closed-door meeting this year. – Photo: Ginnie Liang
