Youths not keen in higher education, says Syed Saddiq

SHAH ALAM - Youths are not keen in pursuing higher education due to low salary offered to them upon graduation, said Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

He said graduates prefer to dive straight into work after completing their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

"This is the issue among the youths. Based on research done, it suggests that two-third of youths choose to become influencers without wanting to further their education.

"I can't blame them. Based on what they said, the salary offered to them was far lower. It was not able to justify the number of years they spend on studying," he said in a Student Dialogue session with Syed Saddiq at the Karangkraf Complex on Thursday.

He said law graduates working at law firms in Terengganu earned RM1,500.

"Even someone who works at Uniqlo could easily earn up to RM2,500 without even pursuing their higher education," he added.

The programme, hosted by Hazwan Mokhtar, was aired on all Sinar Harian platforms.

The former youth and sports minister said their efficiency in using modern technology influences the youth's decision to view higher education simply as a waste of time.

"They simply cannot go into a university after SPM; they must go through either A-levels, O-levels, foundation, diploma matriculation, and such. That alone would take one to three years, and only then could they enter universities.

"That is not accounting for the changes in policy; adding different subjects (that) eventually will bring more burden to the youth.

"The interests of the youth now are less matched, hence why I push for a micro-credential course in education where they can learn for three months (in these institutions)," he said.

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