Comparative Analysis Between Nigeria and Malaysia Education Policies and Employability Skills in Tvet Curriculum

Abstract

Nigeria and Malaysia have almost similar historical background; both had sultan as spiritual and government leader in their major areas, colonized by British and got independence in 1960 and 1957 respectively. Presently, Malaysia has recorded human development increments from 1980 to date and aspire to be a developed country in 2020. While Nigeria has recorded poverty increments from 1980 to date and it may likely be among underdeveloped countries in 2020.  The purpose of this study was to make judgments about Technical and Vocational Education and training (TVET) systems of Malaysia and Nigeria. The idea was to see what makes Malaysian system successful and how Nigeria addressed its TVET problems.   The methodology employed in this paper was analytical method of study that involved evaluation based on critical reading and review of materials which include Nigeria and Malaysia education philosophies, policies, TVET curriculums, employability skills, Malaysian Human Development Index and Nigeria’s Poverty Incidence.  Findings revealed that education philosophy and education policy of Malaysia is intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced based on firm belief and devotion to God while Nigerian education philosophy and policy are limited to intellectual and physical development. Malaysia TVET curriculum is equipped with employability skills including core skills, generic skills and personal attributes which are likely contributed to Malaysian human development and full employment of TVET graduates. Malaysia has recorded increments in human and economic developments from 1980 to date while Nigeria TVET curriculum has not been integrated with employability skills which are likely contributed to Nigeria’s poverty incidence and high Nigerian unemployment rate across all educational levels including TVET graduates at both secondary and tertiary levels. Nigeria has recorded steady increase of poverty incidence from 1980 to date.