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    30 June 2012| last updated at 02:12AM

    Orang Asli urged to take up courses for better life

    By G. SURACH | surach@nst.com.my

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    COMMUNITY HELP: Government spending millions on Orang Asli education and economic development

    BANTING: THE Orang Asli community should make use of courses offered by the government to strive forward and stay on par with people in urban areas, the prime Minister's wife said.

    Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said there was an array of self-help programmes and courses provided by the government for the Orang Asli, and she urged them to enrol to improve the quality of life and education status of their community.

    "For example, the Federal Government has allocated RM208 million to provide amenities like pipe water, land development as well as economic development," she said after launching the Spekktra programme at the Orang Asli settlement in Kampung Busut Baru here yesterday.

    Rosmah, who is also the Orang Asli Malaysia Foundation (YOS) patron, said the only way to elevate the community from poverty was through education.

    "The government has also allocated RM22.5 million each year to assist Orang Asli students in acquiring education to reduce the disparity between their rural identity and urban ones, while keeping in touch with the urban community."

    Following the government's efforts, the percentage of school dropouts among the Orang Asli community had been reduced from 29 per cent last year to 26 per cent this year.

    The Spekktra programme was initiated to provide a family well-being support for the Orang Asli community. It also allowed them to build ties with other communities.

    The programme incorporate activities such as educational talks, health check-ups and family planning.

    During the ceremony, she handed over a cheque for RM250,000 to the foundation, courtesy of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

    The money would be used for the programme's initial funding in 10 Orang Asli settlements nationwide.

     

     

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