Malaysian Polytechnics Students Demographic Profile and Educational Option

Abstract

This study presents findings on Malaysian polytechnic students' educational options in terms of enrolling programme and student demographic profiles for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). A self-report questionnaire was used to examine student demographic profiles such as socioeconomic level (SES), educational aspirations, and secondary school performance. This study enlisted the participation of 643 students from Malaysian polytechnics. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The data was analysed using descriptive and chi-square tests. The findings reveal that there is no relationship between Malaysian polytechnic students’ educational option on TVET and socioeconomic level, educational option on TVET and educational aspirations. Meanwhile, there is a relationship between Malaysian polytechnic students educational option in TVET and secondary school performance. The data also revealed that regardless of the programme in which Malaysian polytechnic students enrolled, majority of them came from low-income families, performed moderately well in secondary school, and have high educational aspirations to further their studies after finishing study at Malaysian polytechnics. As a consequence of the findings, students' socioeconomic status had no impact on their TVET educational option as in the particular programme wherein they enlisted.