The current emphasis on productivity and technology has made lifelong learning
more important in Malaysia. Currently human resource development is regarded
as the driver for the development of competencies among the Malaysian
workforce. Hence, formal and non-formal learning have been receiving a lot of
attention. The Malaysian government has taken initiatives to ensure that both
these forms of education are further strengthened to address the requirements of
the industry.
However, it is also important that other aspects of learning, especially
informal education be given attention. While policies on informal and incidental
learning may be difficult to develop due to the nature of the learning itself, it is
nevertheless an important effort if lifelong learning is to be integrated in to the
daily lives of the people. Informal and incidental learning can be promoted by
making resources available and accessible to Malaysians. These resources may
include facilities and infrastructures such as libraries and public Internet facilities.
Malaysia is now working on a lifelong learning policy to ensure a culture of
learning becomes a culture for its people, from skilled employees alone, to
learning citizens by addressing social, personal, and labour market needs.