TVET-TAHFIZ INTEGRATION IN KEDAH: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Authors

  • MARINA ABU BAKAR Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Perlis, Malaysia.
  • MOHAMAD FAZALI GHAZALI Kulliyyah of Islamic Finance, Management Sciences and Hospitality, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Kedah, Malaysia.
  • HANIZAN SHAKER HUSSAIN Faculty of Computing and Engineering, Quest International University, Perak, Malaysia.
  • SYAZWANI YAHYA Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak, Malaysia.
  • TAZIFUZIN AZMI GIATMARA, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
  • AFIFFUDIN MOHAMMED NOOR Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Perlis, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i4.1340

Keywords:

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), TVET-Tahfiz Kedah, TVET-Tahfiz integration, Islamic vocational education

Abstract

The integration of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with Tahfiz education is an emerging educational initiative that aims to produce holistic graduates who are competent in both religious and technical disciplines. In Kedah, such integration is seen as a strategic response to address the socio-economic needs of Tahfiz students by enhancing their employability while preserving their religious identity. Despite its potential, several critical challenges impede effective implementation. These include inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of dual-trained educators, limited financial support, societal stigma towards vocational training, and the absence of a standardized curriculum that balances religious and vocational components. Therefore, this study aims to critically examine the existing body of literature on TVET-Tahfiz integration in Kedah, with a focus on identifying implementation barriers, reviewing past and current efforts, and proposing strategic recommendations for future development. Adopting a qualitative literature review methodology, data were collected from scholarly articles, books, proceedings, and institutional reports. Thematic analysis was employed to extract recurring themes and insights. The findings suggest that although various initiatives have been introduced, the integration process remains fragmented and constrained by structural and socio-cultural factors. This paper highlights the importance of coordinated efforts among policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders to develop a sustainable, well-supported integration framework. The study contributes to the academic discourse on educational transformation and provides foundational insights to guide future policy, curriculum design, and empirical research in Islamic vocational education.

References

[1] Abd Hamid, H.B., Piahat, T.B., Azwan Haris, N.A.L., Hassan, M.F. (2023): Shades of gray TVET in Malaysia: Issues and challenges. – International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 13(6): 2001-2015.

[2] Abdullah, H., Mohd Zain, F.A., Juahir, H., Che Haron, H.I., Ismail, A., Islam, T., Sheikh Ahmad Tajuddin, S.A.F. (2025): Developing tahfiz empowerment index based on maqasid shariah. – International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management 18(5): 1066-1091.

[3] Abdullah, M., Abdullah, A.H., Rosman, A.S., Ilias, M.F. (2015): Pendidikan tahfiz di Malaysia: Satu sorotan sejarah. – In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Islamic Education and Social Entrepreneurship 2015, Resorts World Langkawi, Malaysia 8p.

[4] Adams, D., Cheah, K.S.L. (2022): Technical and vocational education and training in Malaysia: Reflections, recognition, and renaissance. – In: Adams, D. (ed.) Education in Malaysia: Developments, Reforms and Prospects, Routledge 12p.

[5] Amin, S.M., Ahmad Suhaimi, S.S., Nazuri, N.S. (2023): The present and future of Malaysian Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). – International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 13(18): 107-117.

[6] Anafi, N., Mohd Noor, A. (2024): Perkembangan Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional (TVET), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), 1968-2020. – e-BANGI: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 21(1): 351-363.

[7] Anor Salim, F.A., Maidin, A.J., Mhd Sarif, S., Zainudin, D. (2019): The developing entrepreneurship training curriculum based on Tawhidic paradigm and legal principles: A case study of Malaysia. – Economics, Management and Sustainability 4(2): 30-39.

[8] Astro Awani (2024): Cabaran penolakan TVET dalam kalangan pendidik tahfiz-Presiden PINTA. – Astro Awani 7p.

[9] Azmi, T. (2023): Pembangunan kerangka kerja program Pendidikan Teknikal dan Latihan Vokasional oleh Institut Kemahiran Awam dalam industri pembinaan di Malaysia. – Universiti Utara Malaysia 277p.

[10] Berita Harian (2024): MARA rancang perluas program TVET Tahfiz. – Berita Harian 7p.

[11] Braun, V., Clarke, V. (2006): Using thematic analysis in psychology. – Qualitative Research in Psychology 3(2): 77-101.

[12] Creswell, J.W., Creswell, J.D. (2018): Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. – SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, California 304p.

[13] Halik Bassah, N.A.S. (2022): The issues and challenges of TVET in Malaysia: From the perspective of industry experts. – TVET@Asia 18: 15p.

[14] Harun, A., Yusoff, R.M., Zakaria, A.M. (2020): TVET in Malaysia: Capabilities and challenges as a viable pathway and educational attainment. – Journal on Technical and Vocational Education 5(1): 52-58.

[15] Hassan, N.C., Mohd Fakhruddin, F., Mohd Ayub, A.F., Abd Mutalib, L., Wan Jaafar, W.M. (2015): Tahfiz schools’ entry requirement and characteristics of tahfiz students. – IJAEDU-International E-Journal of Advances in Education 1(3): 234-241.

[16] Ismail, A., Zainal Abiddin, N. (2014): Issues and challenges of technical and vocational education and training in Malaysia towards human capital development. – Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 19: 7-11.

[17] Jamaludin, R.B.A., Hamid, A.H., Alias, B.S. (2023): Empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). – International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 13(12): 3072-3080.

[18] Jesson, J., Matheson, L., Lacey, F.M. (2011): Doing your literature review: Traditional and systematic techniques. – SAGE Publications, London 192p.

[19] Jusoh, R., Puad, M.H.M., Jamaluddin, R., Ismail, N. (2024): The role of technical and vocational education towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution in preparing the workforce in Malaysia. – International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 8(7): 1185-1193.

[20] Kamarzaman, N., Mat Zain, M.N., Azlin Alisa, A. (2025): Funding shortages impact on research and innovation in TVET institutions: A qualitative analysis. – Online Journal for TVET Practitioners 10(1): 11p.

[21] Kamdani, N. (2024): Amalan penjaminan kualiti di dalam pelaksanaan institusi teknikal dan vokasional. – Journal of TVET and Technology Review 2(2): 47-61.

[22] Lincoln, Y.S., Guba, E.G. (1985): Naturalistic inquiry. – SAGE Publications, Beverly Hills, California 416p.

[23] Masrom, M., Ali, M.N., Ghani, W., Abdul Rahman, A.H. (2022): The ICT implementation in the TVET teaching and learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. – International Journal of Advanced Research in Future Ready Learning and Education 28(1): 43-49.

[24] Merriam, S.B., Tisdell, E.J. (2016): Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. – Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, California 368p.

[25] Mustapha, R., Hussain, M.A.M. (2022): Vocational education and training in Malaysia. – In: International Handbook on Education in South East Asia, Springer 28p.

[26] Ngatiman, S., Sulaiman, T., Wong, K.Y. (2023): The challenges of implementing Industrial Revolution 4.0 elements in TVET. – Journal of Technical Education and Training 15(3): 169-181.

[27] Noh@Seth, N.H., Md Noor, N., Arsat, M., Ali, D.F., Md Nasir, A.N., Abd Wahid, N.H., Kamin, Y. (eds.) (2020): TVET towards Industrial Revolution 4.0: Proceedings of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training International Conference (TVETIC 2018). – Routledge, London 164p.

[28] Norsalim, P.M.N., Akbarruddin, M.N.A., Basir, N.S.A., Muda, W.H.N.W., Jeinie, M.H. (2021): Challenges in establishing vocational skills in tahfiz curriculum at Malaysian tahfiz centre. – International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 11(16): 53-62.

[29] Omar, M.A., Masek, A. (2024): Tahfiz students’ interest and awareness of career opportunities in the TVET sector: A gender comparison. – Research and Innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training 4(2): 93-99.

[30] Razik, M.A., Abdul Kadir, S., Mustapha, N., Aziz, M.I., Hussin, S.Z.N. (2021): Empowerment of Maahad Tahfiz in Kelantan through TVET@Tahfiz. – In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Business, Education, Innovation and Social Sciences (ICBEISS 2021) 6p.

[31] Ridzuan, M.R., Abd Rahman, N.A.S. (2022): The analysis of the government policy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the predicaments of TVET in Malaysia. – International Journal of Humanities Technology and Civilization 7(1): 53-58.

[32] Samadi, M.I., Widiantari, D., Hashim, A. (2022): Strengthening the tahfiz study system in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0: Directions and challenges in Malaysia. – Religio Education 2(1): 34-44.

[33] Snyder, H. (2019): Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. – Journal of Business Research 104: 333-339.

[34] Sohimi, N.E., Affandi, H.M., Mohamad, N. (2022): Analysing the way forward to overcome barriers in managing Malaysian TVET-institution and industry partnership. – Jurnal Kejuruteraan SI 5(2): 217-223.

[35] Subramaniam, M., Loganathan, N., Noordin, M.K. (2020): TVET education for students in Malaysia: A systematic literature review. – Journal of Social Transformation and Education 1(1): 63-74.

[36] Umar, A., Awang, M.M., Muslim, N., Hassan, W.Z.W., Haneefa, M.H.M. (2021): The challenges in requirements and qualification for Selangor private tahfiz educational institution teachers. – International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 11(6): 380-391.

[37] Yeap, C.F., Suhaimi, N., Nasir, M.K.M. (2021): Issues, challenges, and suggestions for empowering technical vocational education and training education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. – Creative Education 12(8): 1818-1839.

[38] Yusak, Y.M., Ikhwan, A., Razak, K.A., Anwar, S. (2022): Implementation of the tahfiz Al-Quran education program in Malaysian polytechnics to strengthen Islamic studies. – GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis 5(2): 55-69.

[39] Zakaria, N., Ma’arof, R., Ibrahim, B. (2017): Relationship between employability skills towards career management among vocational students. – Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 25(S): 73-80.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-31

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

TVET-TAHFIZ INTEGRATION IN KEDAH: A LITERATURE REVIEW. (2026). Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(4), 416-431. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i4.1340