NILAI: The Education Ministry is set to tackle school dropout problem among Orang Asli with the first batch of Orang Asli teachers, currently pursuing studies at Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG), expected to graduate this year.
Deputy Education Minister II Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the first batch of Orang Asli teachers will be placed at ‘Sekolah Model Khas Komprehensif’ (K9) and national schools (Sekolah Kebangsaan) near settlements.
“The presence of Orang Asli teachers among these students will help boost the children's spirit to continue studying.
"We believe the Orang Asli teachers understand their culture and lifestyle better,” he said.
Chong said, the K9 schools will take in Orang Asli students from Year One to Form Three.
“At the moment, K9 is only provided near Orang Asli settlements with large population. It will be expanded based on the demand, cost, facilities and other aspects,” he said when met at the Jalinan Kasih programme with Orang Asli Kampung Gebok here, today.
During the event, Chong also delivered a total of 42 packages of daily necessities to the Orang Asli villagers.
Chong said, various reasons have been identified as the factor behind school dropout problem among Orang Asli students.
“Some of them have problems of familiarising with their new school environment, while others were being ridiculed by friends who had shunned them away from school.” he said.