By Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri
The first report in the series examines the role of school farms as a structured training platform for ADI in nurturing students’ skills and talents before they enter the workforce or pursue higher education.
PASIR PUTEH, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Learning at Sekolah Menengah Integrasi Teras Islam (SMITI) Tahfiz Tok Guru here now extends beyond academic and religious studies, with students also gaining hands-on agricultural skills through the Akademi Dalam Industri (ADI) programme.
Now in its second year, the programme at the school’s Huffaz Agrofarm combines theoretical learning with structured practical training, including logbook preparation, skills assessments and training based on industry requirements, to develop students’ competencies from an early stage.
The approach is in line with the ADI concept coordinated by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), through collaboration between the government, industry and academia to develop local talent and prepare a future workforce that meets industry needs.
SMITI Tahfiz Tok Guru principal Wan Abu Bakar Wan Mahussin said ADI, formerly known as the National Dual Training System, was implemented under the supervision of the Department of Skills Development (JPK), Ministry of Human Resources.
He said the programme was aimed not only at helping students obtain a skills certificate, but also at providing practical experience and exposure that would benefit them when entering the workforce or pursuing further studies.
“Apart from the certificate, they gain valuable experience and basic skills. They may not see the value of these skills now, but they will appreciate what they have learnt in the future.
“Those who develop a strong interest in this field can take it further, including pursuing the Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM) or continuing their studies at university,” he told Bernama recently.
LEARNING BEYOND SCHOOL HOURS
Wan Abu Bakar said participation in ADI was open to students aged 16 and above on a voluntary basis, subject to their interest and parental consent.
According to him, training sessions are held after school hours and at weekends to avoid disrupting their studies, with several teachers appointed as coaches or trainers to supervise the participants.
He said agriculture was chosen as the focus of the programme due to the availability of about eight acres (3.24 hectares) of land at the school, comprising six acres (2.43 hectares) for school grounds and another two acres (0.81 hectares) for additional projects.
Through the training, participants were exposed to the entire agricultural process, from land preparation and seed sowing to planting, crop care, harvesting and compost production.
“This programme is more about practical learning. At the same time, we want them to experience how farmers earn from the crops they grow,” he said.
FROM HOE TO PRACTICAL SKILLS
Meanwhile, Huffaz Agrofarm coordinator and trainer Mohd Zulkarnian Mohammad said the ADI programme began with theoretical lessons conducted by instructors from Kumpulan Pertanian Kelantan Berhad (KPKB), before participants proceeded to practical training at the farm.
The training is conducted daily from 3.30 pm to 7 pm after school, except on Fridays and Saturdays, to meet the credit-hour requirement set by JPK based on the National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS).
Mohd Zulkarnian said participants with no prior agricultural experience were given step-by-step guidance by trainers, from using a hoe and loosening the soil to preparing planting beds.
He said implementing the training in stages was important as some participants had no prior experience in agricultural work, with others having never even used a hoe before joining the programme.
“Sometimes when they swing the hoe, the blade can turn upwards. So, learning how to hold the hoe properly is the most basic thing. If you don’t know how to use it, the risk of getting hurt is higher,” he said.
Mohd Zulkarnian said the participants were required to complete nine syllabuses covering various stages of the agricultural process, from land preparation to harvesting, selling the produce and compost production.
SKILLS AS THE BENCHMARK
He added that ADI training goes beyond hands-on work on the farm, with participants also required to maintain a logbook recording their daily tasks and sit for a theory test.
“They also learn about management, such as how to prioritise tasks and decide what needs to be done first when starting a crop,” he said.
On skills assessment, Mohd Zulkarnian said it was conducted using specific documents provided by JPK, covering both self-assessment and assessment by the trainer.
According to him, participants must attain the “terampil” level for each skill, while those who have not yet mastered a particular skill are required to repeat the training until they reach the required standard.
He said the final assessment would involve a practical test conducted by an external assessment officer before participants were certified as “terampil” and eligible to receive a skills certificate.
“From the practical side, the trainer will assess how the apprentice performs the tasks and give marks. At the end of the training, those marks are reviewed again,” Mohd Zulkarnian said.
The ADI programme is monitored by JPK to ensure the training complies with the prescribed syllabus, schedule and documentation requirements, including through reviews of documents and evidence of the programme’s implementation.
MANAGING TIME, GAINING EXPERIENCE
Meanwhile, Wan Abu Bakar said the main challenge in implementing ADI was time management, as students at the integrated tahfiz school already had packed schedules covering academic learning, religious studies and Quran memorisation.
However, he said agricultural activities provided students with valuable experience beyond the classroom, while also helping to strengthen their bond with the school.
“Sometimes these students feel stressed. Having different activities like agriculture can help strengthen their bond with the school. It gives them a space to unwind and ground themselves,” he said.
Wan Abu Bakar said participants initially faced challenges in mastering agricultural skills, including an instance where crops planted by the male students failed to grow despite using the same seeds as the female group.
He said the crops had to be replanted, giving participants a chance to learn from the experience and re-evaluate the methods they had used.
The experience showed that ADI training goes beyond technical skills, helping participants develop discipline, attention to detail, problem-solving abilities and a sense of responsibility for the outcome of their work, while giving them early exposure to the working world.
--BERNAMA
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