According to the Malaysian Youth Policy, youth refers to individuals aged 15 to 30. The Youth Organisations and Youth Development Act 2007 (Amendment) 2019 – [Act 668] defines youth as persons aged not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years. The distribution of youth by year can be obtained from the Malaysian Population and Housing Census, released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) every 10 years, and from population projections for each year. Youth play an important role, particularly in education, for the nation.

In line with the International Day of Education, celebrated on 24th January every year, the 2026 theme, “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,” underscores the role of youth as strategic partners in the education ecosystem. Furthermore, the Malaysian Youth Index 2023 (IBM) reported very encouraging achievements in the education domain, with a 0.36-point increase to 84.00 in 2023 compared with the previous year. The level of educational literacy (94.98) and the higher education graduation rate (97.80) were also in the very satisfactory category.

However, a significant gap remains in tertiary education enrolment, which recorded a less-than-satisfactory score of 50.91. This finding shows that the main challenge for national education is no longer centred on the cognitive capabilities of youth but rather on participation, engagement, and the sustainability of engagement along the educational pathway.

In this context, the role of youth in co-creating education is realised through the practice of etiquette, which serves as a foundation for educational transformation. According to Ahmad Adib Rosdi, a Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics Education) student, youth can exemplify disciplined communication, ethical leadership, responsible digital behaviour, and empathetic engagement, all of which are essential to fostering inclusive, supportive, and meaningful learning communities.

These actions directly address dropout and engagement issues while demonstrating the power of youth as catalysts for a sustainable, inclusive, and collaborative education system in Malaysia. Youth can always be role models in terms of manners, as attitudes and behaviour are far more important than cognitive and skills aspects.

The idea of MADANI being realised aims to create a civilised society balanced between material progress and moral excellence. In fact, there is no meaning to rapid economic prosperity if it is not in line with the stability of ethics, manners and humanity, which are ultimately increasingly marginalised.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET), in line with the International Day of Education 2026 theme, positions youth as essential partners in shaping a skills-based learning environment. Afiq Naqiuddin Kamaruddin, a Master of Education (Mathematics) student, by directly engaging in practical training and industry collaboration, provides valuable feedback that helps TVET better align with their actual needs and increases graduates’ employability.

This youth-centric engagement not only makes education more relevant but also offers structured, real-world learning pathways—especially benefiting secondary school students who excel in practical skills over academics.

Data from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, showing a drop in student dropout rates from 1.50% in 2016 to 0.83% in 2023, underscores the role of TVET pathways in uncovering hidden talent and sustaining engagement in the education system. When youth are empowered to design, evaluate, and enhance TVET education, they secure their futures and help elevate the quality and inclusivity of national education. TVET, driven by youth participation, serves as a mechanism for dropout prevention and reinforces the argument that youth act as catalysts for inclusive and sustainable shared education.

According to the Ministry of Education, nearly 90% of teachers are aged 30 and above, with the highest numbers in Selangor (54,660), Johor (41,217), and Sabah (37,491). This demographic imbalance poses a critical challenge: the shortage of young teachers hinders generational renewal, which is essential to education’s long-term vitality. According to Angela Ee Si Jie, a Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics Education) student, young educators offer innovative approaches, digital skills, and better engagement with current students.

Thus, supporting youth involvement is essential not just to increase their presence in the classroom but to drive educational innovation, leadership, and policy change. Strengthening youth pathways is crucial for maintaining the relevance, adaptability, and resilience of Malaysian education.

Furthermore, youth-led NGOs advance this agenda by developing skills beyond academics, including soft skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and digital literacy. Such a holistic approach cultivates lifelong learning and prepares youth for real-world challenges. Initiatives by Teach For Malaysia (TFM), such as TFM Week 2025 and Community Vibrant: TFM 2025, mobilise young graduates to address educational inequity and drive community-driven change through diverse collaboration. These efforts illustrate TFM’s commitment to promoting educational equity in Malaysia.

In conclusion, Malaysian youth are not passive recipients of education—they are powerful agents of change in creating shared education. By leveraging critical thinking, digital creativity, social sensitivity, and volunteerism, youth bridge the divide between policy and reality, school and community, and formal education and society’s needs.

Their active role in shaping educational initiatives makes learning more inclusive, relevant, and resilient in the face of future challenges. In recognition of International Education Day 2026, Malaysia should further elevate youth voices, leadership, and actions so that education becomes a truly shared endeavour—built by the community, for the community, and led by future generations.

Happy International Day of Education 2026!

Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Halim Abdullah
Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia