BAGAN DATUK: Jelajah Pendidikan Bumiputera 2018 (JPB) or the Bumiputera Education Tour which was launched on March 14 is not part of the government’s general election campaign, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
"(We) started the programme in 2016… and perhaps we will do it again (next year).
"This is not part of the election agenda. We want to have vertical social mobility for all (school leavers) in the country," he added.
Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament, was speaking during a JPB tour at Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk here today.
Also present were Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (who is also JPB's Mentor Minister); and Yayasan Destini Anak Bangsa (YDAB) patron and chairman of the JPB Parent Committee, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar.
"Last year, we targeted 50,000 students (for enrolment) in tertiary education (through JPB), and this year, a total of 65,000 students will be chosen to enter universities or other training centres here.
"This programme is aimed at increasing the social status (and household incomes of families) not only in towns, but rural areas," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also reminded the rakyat that they should do away with the “silo mentality” and be more open to cooperating with different departments and programmes, in line with the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS).
"We have to do away with silo thinking. We should set aside any differences in order to be a developed country.
"In order to achieve that, we have to set and achieve our education percentage achievement. For TVET (Technical and Vocational Educational Training), we have achieved 28 per cent (enrolment) and for a developed country, we need to achieve over 43 per cent.
"We still have potential to achieve that, not only for skilled labour but professionals too," he said.
Zahid also announced an additional allocation of RM1 million for the JPB tour to continue its efforts in helping school leavers.
"I will add another RM1 million for this programme, but on one condition – that 65,000 students will get to enrol in public and private universities," he said.
Zahid added that dates for the programme, which was originally scheduled to conclude on May 2 in Miri, are subject to change.
"This programme will end on May 2 – (but) maybe it’s not too late to adjust or change the date. Perhaps we can make it earlier," he added, hinting at the 14th general election.
The tour was organised by YDAB and Gerakan Pendidikan Bumiputera Malaysia in collaboration with the 4B Youth Movement, which aims to help underprivileged children receive a proper education.