PERCEPTION OF TRAINEES OF SEKOLAH TUNAS BAKTI (STB)

SG LEREH MELAKA ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

MOHD IZYAN ZUHAILI B ZAINUDIN

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

 

 

 

PERCEPTION OF TRAINEES OF SEKOLAH TUNAS BAKTI (STB)

SG LEREH MELAKA ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

MOHD IZYAN ZUHAILI B ZAINUDIN

A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the award of the degree of

Bachelor of Technology with Education (Civil Engineering)

Faculty of Education

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

APRIL 2010

iii

DEDICATION

Allah S.W.T

For all His guidance and bless every second of the day

Especially for,

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rashid Bin Rajuddin

For your kind help in supervising and guide me throughout this work

Beloved Mom and Dad

Hjh. Arfah Bt Hj Mohd Amin

&

Hj. Zainudin B Banon

For all your supports, pray and guidance

My siblings

Along, Abg Ngah, Nana, Afiq and Zaim

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

For hours, I sat in front of my laptop trying to figure out how to best write this acknowledgement page. I do not want this acknowledgement to be merely a page of empty writings, created under the obligation to fulfill the UTM requirements of a thesis write-up. However, I would like this page to be most honest and sincere, birthed true from my heart in expressing my gratitude to those who had assisted me throughout the production of this thesis. This acknowledgement write-up marks the end of a long and eventful journey for which, there are many people whom I would like to acknowledge for their support along the way.

First in line, I would like to thank my supervisor, Prof Dr Muhammad Rashid

B Rajuddin, for his valuable guidance and professional advices throughout the development of this paper. Thank you too for your time spent to ensure that my research was on track. Besides, I am also indebted to you for your patience and kind understanding of the difficulties I had faced during the process of the research.

On this page too, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices my

parents had made in ensuring that I had an excellent education. For this and much more, I cannot and will never be able to thank you both enough. Both of you had been a source of motivation to me, picking me up every time I fell. I love you, Mom and Dad!

To the others whom I have not specifically mentioned here due to space constraint, I have not forgotten you. Your names may not be mentioned here, but they are already specially engraved in my heart and mind. Thank you for your support and assistance throughout this research.

Writing an acknowledgement page for this thesis feels good, because hard

work on the thesis is left behind and I realize that my research would not be as good as it is now without the support and assistance from different people. Therefore, I feel obliged to say thank you one more time.

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception on vocational

education program implemented in rehabilitation centre as perceived by the trainee in

Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB) Sg Lereh Melaka. The population of the school with 62

respondents was involved in this study. The study concentrated on four variables;

teaching staffs involvement, curriculum used, facility provided and trainee’s future

path determination. The survey method was used to collect data consisted of 48

Likert-scale items. The collected data analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social

Sciences (SPSS) V16.0.1 for Windows to obtain frequency, percentage and mean.

Mean distribution was used to measure the level of perception of the trainee on

vocational education which was moderately high. Teaching staffs’ involvement has

high level of average mean, while others are in moderate level. Generally, the

findings indicated that the level of perception of trainee towards vocational education

in STB Sg Lereh Melaka is at moderate level.

vi

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji persepsi pelatih di Sekolah Tunas Bakti

(STB) Sg Lereh Melaka terhadap program pendidikan vokasional. Keseluruhan

populasi sekolah dengan jumlah pelatih seramai 55 orang telah terlibat dalam kajian

ini. Kajian ini menumpukan kepada empat pembolehubah iaitu tenaga pengajar,

kurikulum yang digunakan, kemudahan yang disediakan dan penentuan masa

hadapan. Kajian ini dijalankan dengan menggunakan kaedah penyiasatan dengan

bantuan satu set soal selidik yang mengandungi 48 item skala-Likert. Data yang

diperolehi, kemudiannya dianalisis dengan menggunakan Statistical Packages for

Social Sciences (SPSS) V16.0.1 for Windows untuk mendapatkan frekuensi, peratus

dan purata min. Taburan min digunakan untuk mengukur tahap persepsi pelatih

terhadap program pendidikan vokasional di mana ia berada di tahap

sederhana.Penglibatan tenaga pengajar mencatatkan tahap tertinggi di antara semua

pemboleh ubah di mana yang lain berada di tahap sederhana. Secara keseluruhannya,

kajian ini mendapati bahawa tahap persepsi para pelatih terhadap pendidikan

vokasional di STB Sg Lereh Melaka berada pada tahap sederhana.

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION

ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT v

ABSTRAK vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/SYMBOLS xiii

LIST OF APPENDICES

xiv

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preface 1

1.2 Background of Problem

1.3 Statement of Problem

1.4 Research Objective

1.5 Research Question

1.6 Research Focus

1.7 Research Limitation

1.8 Importance of Research

2

4

5

6

6

7

8

1.9 Definition of Terminologies

1.9.1 Perception

1.9.2 Trainee

1.9.3 Vocational Skills Training

1.9.4 Juvenile

8

9

9

9

10

viii

1.9.5 Rehabilitation Program

1.9.6 Teaching Staff

1.9.7 Curriculum

1.9.8 Facility and Infrastructure

1.10 Closure

10

10

11

11

11

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Vocational Education: An Overview

2.2 Juvenile Delinquency

2.3 Delinquent Girls

2.4 Juvenile and Vocational Education

2.5 Vocational Education for Career Option

2.6 Sekolah Tunas Bakti Sg Lereh, Melaka

2.6.1 Background

2.6.2 Objective

2.6.3 Rules

2.6.4 Rehabilitation Program

2.6.5 Achievement

2.7 Closure

13

14

15

17

19

22

22

22

23

23

24

25

3 METHODOLOGY

26

26

27

27

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

3.1 Research Location

3.2 Research Sample

3.3 Research Instrument

3.3.1 Part A

3.3.2 Part B

3.4 Research Procedure

3.4.1 Research Procedure Flow Chart

3.5 Research Timeline

3.6 Pilot Study

3.6.1 Research Reliability

3.7 Real Research

3.8 Data Analysis

ix

3.9 Closure

35

4 FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Part A: Analysis of Respondent Profile

4.1.1 Respondent Profile: Age

4.1.2 Respondent Profile: Ethnicity

4.1.3 Respondent Profile: Place of Origin

4.1.4 Respondent Profile: Latest Formal Education

4.1.5 Respondent Profile: Vocational Course

4.1.6 Respondent Profile: Training Period

4.1.7 Respondent Profile: Vocational Course and

Training Period

4.2 Part B: Analysis of Research Questions

4.2.1 Analysis of Research Question 1

4.2.2 Analysis of Research Question 2

4.2.3 Analysis of Research Question 3

4.2.4 Analysis of Research Question 4

4.3 Analysis of Overall Data

4.4 Closure

36

37

38

38

39

40

40

41

42

43

46

48

52

55

56

5 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

5.2 Discussion

5.2.1 Teaching Staffs for Vocational Education

5.2.2 Curriculum for Vocational Education

5.2.3 Facilities Provided for Vocational

Education

5.2.4 Future Determination

5.3 Recommendations

5.3.1 Recommendations for Social Welfare

Department Malaysia

5.3.2 Recommendations for Majlis Latihan

57

59

59

60

61

62

63

63

67

x

Vokasional Kebangsaan (MLVK)

5.3.3 Recommendations for Sekolah Tunas Bakti

Sg Lereh, Melaka

5.3.4 Recommendations for Further Research

5.4 Conclusion

67

69

70

REFERENCES

71

APPENDICES A - D

xi

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

1.1 Crimes committed by juveniles based on state 3

1.2 Juveniles in criminal cases based on age and gender 4

3.1 Distribution of Items according to Research Question 27

3.2 Distribution of Score according to Likert-scale 28

3.3 Cronbach Alpha Values 33

3.4 5 Likert-Scale to 3 Likert-Scale 35

3.5 Mean Values Range 35

4.1 Age of Respondents 37

4.2 Ethnicity of Respondents 38

4.3 Place of Origin of Respondents 39

4.4 Latest Formal Education of Respondents 39

4.5 Type of Vocational Training of Respondents 40

4.6 Training Period of Respondents 41

4.7 Cross-Tabulation between Respondents’ Course and Year

of Study

42

4.8 Mean Values and its Level 42

4.9 Frequency Statistic on Trainee’s Perceptions on the

Involvement of Teachers in Vocational Education

43

4.10 Frequency Statistic on Trainees’ Perception on Curriculum

of Vocational Training

46

4.11 Frequency Statistic on Trainees’ Perceptions on Facilities

and Infrastructure Provided for Vocational Training

49

4.12

4.13

5.1

Frequency Statistic on Trainees’ Perceptions on Their

Career and Future Path Determination

Overall Research Questions Percentage of Respondents

Stages and Elements for Employability Skills

52

55

65

xii

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE

3.1 Research Procedure Flow Chart 30

5.1 Components in Motivation Program 68

xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/SYMBOLS

f - Frequency

% - Percentage

CIDB - Construction Industrial Dovelopment Board

Dr. - Doktor

SWD - Social Welfare Department

MLVK - Majlis Latihan Vokasinal Malaysia

Prof. - Profesor

SPSS - Statistical Package for Social Sciences

SD - Strongly Disagreed

D - Disagreed

U - Undecided

A - Agreed

SA - Strongly Agreed

STB - Sekolah Tunas Bakti

xiv

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

A Questionnaire (Malay) 75

B Questionnaire (English) 82

C Approval Letter by SWD 89

D

E

Agreement Between Researcher and SWD

Data Analysis obtained from SPSS

91

93

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preface

Social deviance is a common problem among young adolescents. There are

many cases of juvenile delinquency occuring; however, many remained unknown as

only a fraction of the cases reported. This issue dominates discussions of concerned

citizens, politicians and educators alike around the country, and it is dissapointing to

note that certain quarters are pointing fingers at each other over the rise of these

cases. Malaysia is striving hard to position herself in an established position

economically, socially and politically. With the young generation holding the

responsibility to bring the country to higher grounds, juvenile delinquency is not

something to ignore.

Juvenile delinquents start at a young age, where they are found abusing

school rules, such as playing truant, vandalism and smoking. Without early

intervention, these delinquents would fallen even further and are found in more

serious cases such as bullying, theft, murder, free sex and drug addiction (The Star,

26 April 2009).

Some of the factors identified in the increase in criminal misconduct among

juveniles include factors relating to the juveniles themselves, family, school, social

institutions, community and the related authorities.

Family is an important institution in the formation of human capital. It gives

great impact especially for adolescents. The obsession of pursuing material gains

2

and less quality time has caused fractures to the family ties and this will lead to

serious social problems. Even though parents have been urging to play their role in

this matter, but there are still some, who take their responsibility for granted as they

think that they have been giving enough education to their children. Parents must

also give attention to their children’s friends and activities (The Star, 26 March

2007).

The government has been proactive in taking initiatives, such as enacting the

Child Act 2001, an act on Juvenile Judgement System. Plus, Malaysia had ractified

the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child back in 1995; therefore it

is expected for the judicial system to be more tolerant and lenient towards children

where second chance is become valuable (New Straits Times, 5 September 2008).

1.2 Background of Problem

The teenage years are the most crucial years of our development. At this

particular stage, we tend to be curious at the people and events happening in our

lives. Some may be able to develop optimally while some had fallen through the

cracks and were involved in social problems. The fallen ones still have rights to be

successful in life. The current society are rejecting these delinquents when their past

were to made known by public, making their comeback as functional members of the

society even more difficult.

Vocational training is an initiative by the goverment as means to provide

training and practical skills among juvenile delinquents to be use in the future. This

initiative serves to provide a ‘second chance’ to the delinquents to shape their future.

The two government agencies responsible to oversee and implement vocational

training are the Social Welfare Department (SWD) Malaysia and Prison Department

of Malaysia. There are several institutions under these departments, such as Henry

Gurney School, Tunas Bakti School, Juvenile detention Centre or Rumah

Tahansentara. Juvenile Court Act 1947, the Juvenile Courts Ordinance (The Places

3

of Detention Rules) 1950, and Girls and Women Protection Act 1973, are some laws

that are enacted for this problem.

The programs are varies according to the detention centers; however, each

program works with a common goal i.e. to develop the juvenile’s skills. Facilities

and supervision provided to each detention center where the juveniles have to go to

training daily with monitoring from their caretakers. It is hope that these juveniles

would improve themselves and are better prepared to face the world once they

released from these centers.

Statistics showed that there are more than 19000 juveniles arrested for

committing offences from 2005 to 2007. The numbers have now been in decrease but

it is not a sign to rest on our laurels as the young generation hold the responsibility of

leading the country. Therefore, serious precaution measure should take since there

are so many cases reported involving youth at very young age (Berita Harian, 7

September 2005).

Table 1.1: Crimes committed by juveniles based on state

STATE 2005 2006 2007

Johor 1,019 851 972 Kedah 930 899 441 Kelantan 280 247 189 Melaka 153 284 293 Negeri Sembilan 225 308 197 Pahang 232 25 362 Perak 644 396 494 Perlis 134 140 159 Pulau Pinang 291 439 434 Sabah 500 0 326 Sarawak 346 228 335 Selangor 807 911 1,114 Terengganu 736 509 327 W.P Kuala Lumpur 904 718 1,099 W.P Labuan 0 0 21 Total 7,201 5,955 6,763

Resources: Social Welfare Department Malaysia

4

Table 1.2: Juveniles in criminal cases based on age and gender

Age Gender

Year No of Cases

7 – 12 13 – 15 16 – 18 Male Female No of arrest

2002 2955 113 1265 2822 4066 134 4200 2003 3647 151 1593 3711 5303 152 5455 2004 3274 149 1356 3531 4884 152 5036 Total 9876 413 4214 10064 14253 438 14691

Resources: Social Welfare Department Malaysia

The statistics disclosed above is more than enough to describe the seriousness

of juvenile delinquency problems in Malaysia. When a juvenile get caught for

convicted of a crime, they would be sent to probation centers or approved schools

mentioned above, attending correctional programs within a period set by their

sentence.

The question now lies on the effectiveness of this program on juvenile’s

development. Is this program suitable and effective in bringing about changes in

attitude as well as preparing the delinquents career wise?

This paper will discuss this problem on one of probation school in Malaysia.

It will focus on juvenile’s perception towards the vocational program given to them.

1.3 Statement of Problem

Everybody deserves a second chance; nobody is perfect. There is learning in

every mistake committed, and this goes the same for the juveniles. Sometimes,

stigma is killing their chances when they are about to make a turning point. As they

did not get any support when it is crucial for them to have it, they tend to go back to

their old broken path. It is even heartening when they took a turn for the worse and

commit horrible crimes. Catherine (1999) found that the problem get worst when the

juvenile offenders labelled as deviant and it is often a counterattack against rejection.

5

The government had notice on this matter and trying as best as possible to

provide for care and development through rehabilitation programs. These include

counselling sessions, religious study, sports programs, discipline programs,

vocational training and most importantly their academic education. Those are not

academically – inclined given vocational training at the centers. This is important

for the juvenile in determine their future path where in bigger picture, it involves our

country development.

This study aims at understanding the effectiveness of such vocational

programs by focusing on trainees’ perception on vocational programs provided by

the centers. The aspects studied include curriculum, facilities, teaching staffs, and

trainees’ future and career path determination.

1.4 Research Objective

This research assesses trainees of Sekolah Tunas Bakti (STB), Sg Lereh

Melaka on vocational skills training. The objectives in focus are as follows:

i. To find out trainees’ perception on teachers involved in vocational

training.

ii. To find out trainees’ perception on curriculum used in vocational

training.

iii. To find out trainees’ perception on facilities and infrastructure for

vocational training.

iv. To find out trainees’ perception on their future path.