The Mini Series
EP 1: Is poverty the key issue?
In the first episode, factors such as parent's education history, household income and students' desire to further their studies to a higher level will be introduced and concluded whether poverty remains the key issue that contributes to indigenous student's education barrier.
Edited by: Nur Nadhrah | Subtitles by: Nur Nadhrah | Voiceover by: Nur Nadhrah
Edited by: Puteri Hazlyn | Subtitles by:Puteri Hazlyn |Voiceover by: Puteri Hazlyn
EP 2: Examining the factors behind indigenous students' failure to complete their education
The statistics on indigenous community educational achievement are unimpressive as there are many students drop out before entering Form One, and many of those who do make it that far do not make it to Form Five. Despite this, poverty is not viewed to be the primary factor of the high dropout rates among indigenous students because other factors may be at play.
EP 3: Well-educated students comes within family's support
Living in merely above the poverty line is a factor that contributes to indigenous students’ education barrier. Indigenous students feel unmotivated due to unaccessible transportation to go to school. However, family and culture influence their children to not further their studies until Higher Level Education Institution.
Edited by: Nur Nadhrah | Subtitles by:Puteri Hazlyn | Voiceover by: Nur Nadhrah
13%
OF MALAYSIA'S POPULATION IS MADE UP OF ORANG ASLI ("ORIGINAL" OR "FIRST PEOPLE" IN MALAY)
Despite high intake, number of graduates keep decreasing
Written by: Nur Nadhrah
Infographic shows the number of intake and graduate of the indigenous community in Malaysia from year 1 to 6. The data comprises the year of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
In 2016, there are 4,222 intakes and only 3,710 out of that managed to graduate.
While in 2017, there are 3,994 intakes and out of that, only 3,515 only manage to graduate.
Furthermore, in 2018, 3,771 are intakes while only 3,315 manage to graduate.
Finally, in the year of 2019, 3,812 registered while out of that total only 2,840 manage to graduate.
According to both sources, Suhaidi Supian and Ahmad Suhaimi Alias, these decline in the number of graduates occur due to the indigenous community's culture and beliefs where their attitude plays a major role in whether or not they would like to continue their education to a higher level.
Indigenous student's dropout rates are exacerbated by culture influences
Written by: Florina Deris & Catherine Irene | Edited by: Nur Nadhrah & Puteri Hazlyn
There is a considerable relationship between income level, family background, cultural differences, and basic amenities contributing to the number of indigenous students dropping out of school which leads to thousands of students continue to drop out of school.
Much literature on dropout concerns indicated that dropping out is a process in which children ultimately abandon education owing to a range of push and pull factors.
According to the officer of the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) Gombak and Petaling districts, Ahmad Suhaimi Alias, agreed that poverty is one of the contributing factors to this issue but not one hundred percent the major factor.
Suhaimi explained that the main factor of student dropout is starting from home.
(Source: Puteri Hazlyn)
There is a considerable relationship between income level, family background, cultural differences, and basic amenities contributing to the number of indigenous students dropping out of school. In summary, thousands of students continue to drop out of school.
Many literature on dropout concerns indicated that dropping out is a process in which children ultimately abandon education owing to a range of push and pull factors.
According to the officer of the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) Gombak and Petaling districts, Ahmad Suhaimi Alias, agreed that poverty is one of the contributing factors to this issue but not a hundred percent major factor.
Suhaimi revealed that most students in this community will only pursue higher education up to form five only caused by various factors such as failed exams or other problems such as the difficulty adapting to new environments.
“The Indigenous community's lack of interest in learning is connected to their overall traits. They are noted for being humble, quiet, and passive, and they dislike being pushed to accomplish anything.
"In addition, they value freedom of movement, are sensitive, like physical activity, and prefer to work in groups rather than as individuals,” Suhaimi added.
Mohd Fairuz Ali, a family physician or doctor of the community & also a lecturer at the Faculty of Family Medication, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
(Source: HCTM - UKM)
On the other hand, Orang Asli Community Development Exco, Malaysia Relief Agency (MRA), Mohd Fairuz Ali, also argues that poverty is considered as the minor factor that causes dropout in school among indigenous students.
He agreed that the major factor that causes dropout in school among indigenous communities is because of their attitude. They’re considered to be less resilient and have a short memory.
As a result, they are prone to becoming bored and losing interest in their studies. However, there is still a dearth of exposure and understanding of education among them.
Looking at their education side, most of their levels of education are still low despite the facilities and initiatives provided by the government.
Some indigenous students still cannot dominate their studies in reading, writing, and counting.
_edited.jpg)
An indigenous student from SK Bukit Lanjan, reading her textbook in class
(Source: Puteri Hazlyn)
“The dropout factor in society was due to the lack of motivation and awareness for them to be enthusiastic, and consider the importance of education.
“They may not have crossed their minds that education can change their lives to better living and bring new changes to their community,” Fairuz added.
According to some studies, the educational level of family members has a substantial influence on whether and how long children get access to schools.
Enrolment rates are influenced by the family member's highest educational background. It undeniably contributes favourably to regular attendance and adversely to student dropout.
For example, if indigenous parents send their children to school, they will perceive an increase in their cost of living as a result of supplying necessities for their children who are still in school.
“Some parents were reluctant to send their children to school because they thought there would be no job at the end of it and as such, limit the returns on their investment. They also think that by working, they can make a living for their family, instead of going to school,” Fairuz explained.
_edited.jpg)
An insight of indigenous village at Ringlet, Cameron Highland, Pahang.
(Source: Nur Nadhrah)
Other than that, indigenous students had to travel more than 15 kilometers to school. According to previous studies, indigenous students have access to public transportation such as school buses and trucks. However, the functioning of the given transportation services remains inadequate in terms of quality, quantity, and student service.
To lower the number of dropouts among indigenous students in school, more improved measures should be developed and applied so that the government and all relevant parties may concentrate more on raising the number of indigenous students enrolled in secondary school since this is the only way to lift this community out of poverty.
Many incentives were implemented, such as by students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sungai Buloh, which teaches students about hygiene. When they wish to go to school, they know how to care for their basic hygiene.
JAKOA encourages the engagement of outsiders in the community since it helps the community to thrive.
Fairuz went on to say that the indigenous community is a minority group that has been ignored for decades and that education is the key to success in reducing poverty and improving the quality of their lives.
The problems encountered may be surmounted with perseverance, effort, and a positive attitude, as well as the aid offered by the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community support.
It is beneficial to collaborate across agencies in order to expose them and assist them to grow for a brighter future.
Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Faculty of Human Development, Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI), Tanjung Malim, Norwaliza Abdul Wahab, agreed that there is an education gap between indigenous students compared to other students in Malaysia
Norwaliza Abdul Wahab, an expert in sociology and indigenous studies
(Source: Expert@ UPSI)
According to Norwaliza, the problem of poverty among the indigenous community can be seen in many angels, especially in terms of the lack of infrastructure that does not facilitate them getting a better education.
The rise in enrolment is commendable, but the dropout rate among indigenous students is still a major reason for concern. One of the primary causes of the issue is the students' low academic performance.
Norwaliza added that when indigenous students are at the primary school level, the number of students dropping out of school is insignificant, and can still be controlled.
However, the most significant number of students among indigenous community dropped out of school when they were at the secondary school level. Most students are either from form one to form 3.
While there are facilities such as hostels built in some schools, just to make it easier for them to get an education, there are still students who are not used to living in hostels and decide to quit school.
These indigenous students prefer to do activities they like to do with family members, without thinking long that education is essential to them.
“There are indigenous parents who do not give much support to their children in education. This is due to parents who do not have an educational background, and there are also parents who encourage their children to work instead of furthering their education in school," said Norwaliza.
Norwaliza added that the indigenous students who have successfully continued their education to higher levels, because they get a lot of support starting from their own parents.
However, Norwaliza is convinced that if all indigenous parents give support and change their perceptions about education, it is not impossible that the problem of dropouts among the indigenous community can be avoided.
This is because, according to her, some indigenous students have managed to further their education to a higher level, because they get a lot of support from their own parents.
There is a strong correlation between parents' education and their children dropping out of school. Indigenous parents, on the other hand, are much less likely than non-Indigenous parents to have received any formal education at all, with the vast majority only completing primary school. This means that parents with low levels of education are ill-equipped to help their children succeed in school.
Created by: Catherine Irene