While she supported the idea of introducing TVET at the primary school level, Hasnah Toran of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) said the curriculum must be thoughtfully crafted to ensure the content is age-appropriate for seven-year-olds.

“The biggest issue that the education ministry will face is the teachers themselves. Not only will the pupils be the ‘guinea pigs’ but the teachers will also feel like they are ‘guinea pigs’,” she told FMT.

On Thursday, deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh told the Dewan Rakyat that primary school pupils would be exposed to TVET elements through an integrated approach, blending science, technology, digital studies, arts, and health education.

For Year 5 and 6 pupils, the curriculum will expand to include foundational TVET subjects such as technology, household science, engineering, programming, and agriculture, all taught through project-based learning that encourages exploring and practical application of digital tools.

Hasnah said the ministry must roll out the programme in a way that makes it engaging for teachers.

“The ministry must assure teachers that this new content will not add to their existing workload. It needs to implement this idea in a way that teachers can accept it well,” she said.

Hasnah also said the basic 3R skills – reading, writing and arithmetic – should be integrated into the teaching and learning process.

Amir Asyraf Sabri, president of the Alumni Association of the National Student Consultative Council, said the initiative could produce a generation of young people with high skills and competitiveness.

“With a more practical and skills-based approach, TVET can help students who are less interested in traditional academic approaches to improve their basic skills.

“The early introduction of TVET elements is expected to equip students with a foundational understanding and skills in fields like science, technology, engineering, and other disciplines that are increasingly relevant in the modern economic era,” he said.