Latest news with #MinistryofRuralandRegionalDevelopment
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kemas teacher salary scheme to be revised
BANGI: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will review the salary scheme for Community Development Department (Kemas) teachers, aiming to elevate their role and better protect their welfare. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the welfare of Kemas teachers, whether in terms of allowances, promotion opportunities, social protection or recognition, must be prioritised and structured appropriately. 'To raise outstanding children, we must start by uplifting their educators. We cannot expect extraordinary results if our teachers are only provided with the bare minimum. 'That is why I want a comprehensive and phased strategic improvement plan implemented for Kemas educators,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, when launching the Kemas Educators' Day celebration here today. Also present were KKDW secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar and Kemas director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that with continued support, focused training, and a work ecosystem that values its educators, Malaysia could nurture more dynamic and competitive Kemas teachers who remain the backbone of community education in the country. Meanwhile, he said KKDW aims to establish at least one kindergarten (tabika) for children with special needs in every district nationwide by 2027. He said this effort was to ensure that children with special needs are not left behind in receiving early education through the implementation of the Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas, which begins this year. 'This initiative will start in Melaka this year. God willing, we will try to ensure that no Malaysian child is left behind in accessing early education, regardless of their circumstances,' he said. On the Smart Classroom@Kemas project, a pilot initiative for smart classrooms introduced by Kemas, Ahmad Zahid said it would be a game changer in propelling the early childhood education system into the digital era. 'My aspiration is for at least one smart kindergarten to be established in every district by 2026,' he said, expressing hope that skills-based education, such as technical and vocational education and training (TVET), could begin from an early stage. Ahmad Zahid also expressed pride in other Kemas achievements, including the graduation of 61,032 young huffaz (Quran memorisers) through the Kemas Pre-Tahfiz Programme at 4,229 centres. 'This programme is one of the major accomplishments that I consider a game changer in the early childhood education system. Starting with just 100 kindergartens in 2023, the programme has seen rapid growth. 'God willing, by 2026, we are targeting more than 9,700 Tabika Kemas to be involved, with the participation of over 145,000 young huffaz, surpassing our initial target of 140,000,' he said. He added that to date, Kemas operates 10,567 kindergartens and 577 nurseries (taska) nationwide, providing care and early education to 221,012 children from diverse backgrounds.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
KEDA boosts durian planting in Pedu to spur agrotourism
PADANG TERAP: The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) will strengthen durian cultivation through the Integrated Village Economic Development Project (PROSPEK) in Pedu to further revitalise the agrotourism sector in the subdistrict. KEDA chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the project, which involves 12 villages in the subdistrict, has so far succeeded in increasing the income and quality of life of the local residents. 'Our aim is to revitalise existing durian orchards... so facilities, roads, and fertilisers are provided, and we are looking for ways to clean up these orchards so that when durian season arrives, more people can come here and visit the orchards — that's our goal. 'It's a good programme and I want to review the status of the 12 villages in the Pedu subdistrict so we can refine it further... there are also homestays, so people can come and eat durians right here,' he said after attending the Durian Festival@Pedu 2025 programme here today. He said KEDA will improve infrastructure and farm roads in the involved villages, and also streamline the durian collection process in the orchards to make it more efficient. According to Mahdzir, as of now, 280 hectares of the king of fruits are cultivated by 309 PROSPEK participants, yielding over 300 tonnes of durians comprising both clone varieties and kampung (village) durians. He said PROSPEK Pedu began in 2022 with a five-year development phase and a total project cost of RM8 million. It is a project under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN TVET Council 4th Regional Policy Dialogue highlights three key enablers
MELAKA: The ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council 4th Regional Policy Dialogue (ATC 4th RPD) has highlighted three fundamental enablers for advancing the sector. The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) said the three key enablers are effective education and training, meeting industry demands for skilled labour, and improving socio-economic standards. The ministry, in collaboration with the National TVET Council (MTVET), is organising the two-day dialogue themed 'TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement' here, with the main objective of developing comprehensive, actionable strategies and policies to enhance the access, quality, and relevance of TVET, aligned with rural development priorities and inclusive growth. 'The ATC 4th RPD is expected to produce practical recommendations and conclusions to support the development and alignment of national TVET systems with regional aspirations. 'It will also strengthen the role of the ASEAN TVET Council as a key platform for cooperation, coordination, and policy integration across ASEAN,' it said in a statement today. The statement said the dialogue is held in conjunction with the National TVET Day 2025 celebration, which runs from today until Friday, and Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. The dialogue is supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, the German government under the Regional Cooperation on Labour Market Policy and TVET for Twin Transition in ASEAN (RECOTwin) programme, and the Australian government through the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills programme. 'The ATC 4th RPD aims to foster regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic discussions on the role of TVET as a catalyst for the socio-economic transformation of rural and marginalised communities. 'The keynote address was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who underscored TVET's critical role in driving inclusivity and sustainability, and Malaysia's aspiration to equip the workforce with relevant skills for a dynamic labour market to boost economic growth and social equity,' the statement added. The dialogue features 29 expert panellists from ASEAN member states, Australia, and UNESCO, comprising policymakers, government officials, industry players, and TVET educators. The hybrid event is being attended by over 300 participants, both in person and online.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN TVET dialogue stresses skills, equity, industry link
MELAKA: The ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council 4th Regional Policy Dialogue (ATC 4th RPD) has highlighted three fundamental enablers for advancing the sector. The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) said the three key enablers are effective education and training, meeting industry demands for skilled labour, and improving socio-economic standards. The ministry, in collaboration with the National TVET Council (MTVET), is organising the two-day dialogue themed 'TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement' here, with the main objective of developing comprehensive, actionable strategies and policies to enhance the access, quality, and relevance of TVET, aligned with rural development priorities and inclusive growth. 'The ATC 4th RPD is expected to produce practical recommendations and conclusions to support the development and alignment of national TVET systems with regional aspirations. 'It will also strengthen the role of the ASEAN TVET Council as a key platform for cooperation, coordination, and policy integration across ASEAN,' it said in a statement today. The statement said the dialogue is held in conjunction with the National TVET Day 2025 celebration, which runs from today until Friday, and Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. The dialogue is supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, the German government under the Regional Cooperation on Labour Market Policy and TVET for Twin Transition in ASEAN (RECOTwin) programme, and the Australian government through the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills programme. 'The ATC 4th RPD aims to foster regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic discussions on the role of TVET as a catalyst for the socio-economic transformation of rural and marginalised communities. 'The keynote address was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who underscored TVET's critical role in driving inclusivity and sustainability, and Malaysia's aspiration to equip the workforce with relevant skills for a dynamic labour market to boost economic growth and social equity,' the statement added. The dialogue features 29 expert panellists from ASEAN member states, Australia, and UNESCO, comprising policymakers, government officials, industry players, and TVET educators. The hybrid event is being attended by over 300 participants, both in person and online.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
KKDW steps in to help struggling family living in rundown hut
KUALA BERANG: The plight of a family of eight living in a dilapidated hut in Kampung Paya Besar has drawn the attention of the Terengganu office of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), which has pledged to help provide them with a more comfortable home. Terengganu KKDW director Md Razi Md Lazim said he had personally visited the family of Mat Nasir Ismail, 48, who has a 13-year-old son with a learning disability, to assess their living conditions. He said the family's financial difficulties had forced them to move frequently, affecting both their quality of life and the education of their two school-going children. 'We are working to resolve their housing issue. A new home will be provided, complete with electricity and water supply. 'For now, we'll repair and upgrade their current shelter, with the aim of completing it before Hari Raya Haji so they can live in safer and more dignified conditions,' he said when met in Kampung Paya Besar today. Mat Nasir's wife, Mazilah Mansor, 47, expressed her heartfelt thanks to KKDW for the assistance extended to her family. She hopes the help will mark a turning point in their lives, having endured years without electricity or clean water. Their hardship came to light after media reports highlighted that the family was living in a hut deep in the forest, with no walls or doors. Adding to the burden, Mat Nasir suffers from chronic asthma, which has long prevented him from doing physically demanding work to support his family. Two of their five children — Muhammad Ramadan, 13, and Muhammad Asyraf Muharam, 11 — are currently studying at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Berang and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tengku Ampuan Intan, respectively.
