PETALING JAYA: The post-pandemic era has brought about significant challenges to the younger generation, including a widening skills gap, inadequate vocational training and limited access to technological advancements, says Nurul Izzah Anwar.

The Social and Economic Research Initiative (Seri) chairman highlighted that Malaysia’s prolonged school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic have particularly affected students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.

“TVET students were the most affected during the pandemic as their coursework required in-person training, which could not be substituted with online learning.

“This generation has notably felt the impact as we move into the post-pandemic period,” she said during the Asia News Network (ANN) panel discussion entitled “Asia’s Youth and their Future” yesterday.

Nurul Izzah was the chief guest at the panel discussion, which also featured Thailand’s The Nation editor-in-chief Patpon Artie Sabpaithune, Myanmar’s Eleven Media Group executive director Min Thaw Htut and Fung Global distinguished fellow Tan Sri Andrew Sheng. The session was moderated by Star Media Group’s senior news editor Philip Golingai.

Nurul Izzah further stated that despite advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence and automation, access remains limited, benefitting only a select few.

“During my last tenure as MP, we conducted a multidimensional quality index study that in- cluded Covid-19-related measurements to assess Internet access, the ability to continue online studies and the availability of gadgets.

“Unfortunately, the disruption caused by the pandemic has led to significant losses for generations,” she said.

Nurul Izzah also stressed the importance of acknowledging the struggles of the younger generation as they navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, healthcare scares and other uncertainties.

She added that adaptability should not only be demanded of the youth but also by older generations.

“As a politician, I found it challenging to engage with the community and adapt to new communication dynamics.

“While it is easy to demand change from others, it is equally important to reflect on and change our own behaviours,” Nurul Izzah said.

Recognising that each generation faces its own set of challenges, she called for a less judgemental approach.

“Youth must feel recognised, not patronised,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, Sheng, who delivered the key remarks for the discussion, was of the opinion that the older generation owes the youth a debt.

“We gave them the largest debt ever. We gave them global warming and we need to help them adapt to the new challenges,” he said during the session.

He also relayed an eye-opening experience of meeting with a young man from a village in Bhutan.

“I was in the middle of the jungle there, helping a village understand how they can progress.

“The most rewarding thing I heard was a young man who spoke in perfect English, saying ‘Andrew, I know your generation created global warming and I want your generation to help me deal with the future’.

“I thought that was the most frank assessment,” he said.

Amidst technological advancement, Sheng said there was not only a divide between rich and poor countries but also between generations.

“The biggest challenge to education today is that teachers know less about technology than students.

“Most students today may be familiar with how various technological tools work, whereas some teachers are not,” he said.

He said the biggest challenge for Asian youth moving forward is the speed by which they have a curriculum that is less about memorising and more about creativity.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/07/helping-students-thrive-post-pandemic