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Transforming education for Orang Asli children with Anak Kita programme at SK Sungai Tiang

Sinar Daily

06-07-2025

General
Sinar Daily

Transforming education for Orang Asli children with Anak Kita programme at SK Sungai Tiang

KUALA LUMPUR - Tucked away from the bustle of the city, deep within the dense forests and clear waters of Tasik Banding, stands a school that serves as a beacon of hope for Jahai Orang Asli children in the remote villages of the Royal Belum rainforest, Gerik, Perak. Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Tiang, the only school in the area, serves 125 students from Year One to Year Six and is accessible only by a nearly two-hour boat ride across the lake and through the jungle. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, hidden behind the wilderness of the forest and the clear waters of Tasik Banding, SK Sungai Tiang becomes a beacon of hope for the children of the Orang Asli Jahai tribe in the hinterlands of Royal Belum. Photo by Bernama Despite the challenging terrain, the classrooms echo with the voices of Orang Asli children, who typically communicate in their native tongue but are now learning to pronounce syllables and words in the national language and beginning to understand basic numbers. Every word spoken and spelled out by these young learners reflects their unwavering determination to learn, despite limited resources, a tenacity now given new momentum with their school's selection as one of 104 in Perak to join the Anak Kita programme. The school's headmaster, Mohammad Rezal Shuib, said the programme is a collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, involving the placement of Guru Bitara (Master Teachers) from the local community to co-teach with remedial teachers, helping to ensure more effective communication and engagement with the students. He said Orang Asli students face significant educational challenges compared to mainstream students due to their different cultural and language backgrounds, as well as geographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors that shape their overall learning experience. "The strength of the Anak Kita programme lies in its ability to adapt to local challenges, making it a more inclusive and effective educational initiative. "At SK Sungai Tiang, for instance, most students are from the Jahai tribe who speak their mother tongue. Having a Guru Bitara, who understands the local culture and language, makes learning smoother and more effective,' he told Bernama. Launched on Sept 27, 2024, the programme is a national education reform initiative under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The initiative is led by the Finance Ministry and the Education Ministry, in collaboration with Unit Pantau Madani (UPM), Yayasan Hasanah, three public universities and seven civil society organisations, with UPM overseeing its implementation until December this year. Rezal said the remedial classes have yielded positive results, although students progress at different rates depending on their abilities. "For example, some students could previously only write single letters like 'A,' but now they're able to combine them into syllables such as 'K-A' and spell simple words like bola (ball), even if they're not yet fluent. "When they see letters like 'L' and 'A,' they can now identify the corresponding sounds, which in itself is a significant achievement. Their reading may still be slow, but we can see clear progress,' he said. Class Teacher, Akimi Aning guides the Orang Asli students during a remedial class session at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Tiang recently. Photo by Bernama Education deputy director-general (Policy and Curriculum Sector) Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad said the programme was designed to address three key post-pandemic education challenges: mastery of the 3M skills (reading, writing, counting), SPM performance and student dropout rates. She said the 3M component currently supports 53,252 students across 1,288 primary schools, while the SPM programme provides academic assistance, particularly in core subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, History, and Mathematics, to 10,119 students from 327 schools in the 2024 cohort, and 20,000 students from 905 schools in the 2025 cohort. The Dropout Student programme is a targeted initiative aimed at reintegrating at least 500 out-of-school students into the education system through focused support, including transportation, school supplies, food vouchers, counselling and continuous support. Meanwhile, UPM director-general Mohd Khalid Mohamed Latiff said the 3M component has benefited over 53,200 students across Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak, with marked improvements in literacy and numeracy since its rollout earlier this year. Yayasan Hasanah Education Advocacy senior manager Aeti Abdullah noted that the programme's impact at SK Sungai Tiang lies in its ability to adapt to the unique needs of each school. "It doesn't rely on a one-size-fits-all model. Its success is best reflected in the voices of the students, the commitment of school leaders and the dedication of educators who consistently go above and beyond. "The next step is to scale, support, and sustain these efforts nationwide. What's working at SK Sungai Tiang shouldn't be an exception; it should become a model for systemic change across the country,' she said. She added that students attend two remedial classes each week, one each for Bahasa Melayu and Mathematics, using the specially developed RIMBA Module designed for remedial learners. The classes are co-taught by a remedial teacher and a Guru Bitara, with student progress closely tracked through the MYSkor system. - BERNAMA

ABCs for village kids in heart of Gerik rainforest

The Star

01-07-2025

General
The Star

ABCs for village kids in heart of Gerik rainforest

Tucked away from the bustle of the city, deep within the forests and clear waters of Tasik Banding, stands a school that serves as a beacon of hope for Jahai Orang Asli children in the remote villages of the Royal Belum rainforest in Gerik, Perak. SK Sungai Tiang, the only school in the area, serves 125 pupils from Year One to Year Six, and is accessible only by a nearly two-hour boat ride across the lake and through the jungle. Despite the challenging terrain, the classrooms echo with the voices of Orang Asli children, who typically communicate in their native tongue, but are now learning to pronounce syllables and words in the national language and beginning to understand basic numbers. Every word spoken and spelled out by these young learners reflects their determination to learn, despite limited resources, a tenacity now given new momentum with their school's selection as one of 104 in Perak to join the 'Anak Kita' programme. (From left) Orang Asli pupils Amira Hasaan, Adham Hani and Nasri Zainal during class at SK Sungai Tiang. — Photos: Bernama School headmaster Mohammad Rezal Shuib said the programme was a collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, involving the placement of Guru Bitara (Master Teachers) from the local community to co-teach with remedial teachers, helping to ensure more effective communication and engagement with the pupils. He said Orang Asli pupils faced significant educational challenges compared to mainstream students because of their different cultural and language backgrounds, as well as geographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors that shape their overall learning experience. 'The strength of the 'Anak Kita' programme lies in its ability to adapt to local challenges, making it a more inclusive and effective educational initiative. 'At SK Sungai Tiang, for instance, most students are from the Jahai tribe who speak their mother tongue. 'Having a Guru Bitara, who understands the local culture and language, makes learning smoother and more effective,' he told Bernama. Launched on Sept 27 last year, the programme is a national education reform initiative under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The initiative is led by the Finance and Education Ministries, in collaboration with Unit Pantau Madani (UPM), Yayasan Hasanah, three public universities and seven civil society organisations, with UPM overseeing its implementation until December this year. Mohammad Rezal said the remedial classes yielded positive results, although students progressed at different rates depending on their abilities. 'For example, some students could previously only write single letters like 'A,' but now they are able to combine them into syllables such as 'K-A' and spell simple words like bola (ball), even if they are not yet fluent. 'When they see letters like 'L' and 'A,' they can now identify the corresponding sounds, which is a significant achievement. 'Their reading may still be slow, but we can see clear progress,' he said. Education deputy director- general (Policy and Curriculum Sector) Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad said the programme was designed to address three key post-pandemic education challenges: mastery of the 3M skills (reading, writing, counting), SPM performance and student dropout rates. The 3M component currently supports 53,252 pupils across 1,288 primary schools. Meanwhile, the SPM programme provides academic assistance, particularly in core subjects such as Bahasa Melayu, History and Mathematics, to 10,119 students from 327 schools in 2024 and 20,000 students from 905 schools this year. The Dropout Student programme is a targeted initiative aimed at reintegrating at least 500 out-of-school students into the education system through focused support, including transportation, school supplies, food vouchers and counselling. UPM director-general Mohd Khalid Mohamed Latiff said the 3M component had benefitted pupils across Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak, with marked improvements in literacy and numeracy since its rollout earlier this year. Yayasan Hasanah Education Advocacy senior manager Aeti Abdullah attributed the programme's impact at SK Sungai Tiang to its ability to adapt to the unique needs of each school. 'It doesn't rely on a one-size-fits-all model. 'Its success is best reflected in the voices of the students, the commitment of school leaders and the dedication of educators who consistently go above and beyond. 'The next step is to scale, support and sustain these efforts nationwide. 'What's working at SK Sungai Tiang shouldn't be an exception; it should become a model for systemic change across the country,' she said. Students attend two remedial classes each week, one each for Bahasa Melayu and Mathematics, using a specially developed module designed for remedial learners, she added. The classes are co-taught by a remedial teacher and a Guru Bitara, with student progress closely tracked.

Remote School Becomes A Beacon Of Hope For Orang Asli Children Through Anak Kita Programme

Barnama

26-06-2025

General
Barnama

Remote School Becomes A Beacon Of Hope For Orang Asli Children Through Anak Kita Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Tucked away from the bustle of the city, deep within the dense forests and clear waters of Tasik Banding, stands a school that serves as a beacon of hope for Jahai Orang Asli children in the remote villages of the Royal Belum rainforest, Gerik, Perak. Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Tiang, the only school in the area, serves 125 students from Year One to Year Six and is accessible only by a nearly two-hour boat ride across the lake and through the jungle. Despite the challenging terrain, the classrooms echo with the voices of Orang Asli children, who typically communicate in their native tongue but are now learning to pronounce syllables and words in the national language and beginning to understand basic numbers. Every word spoken and spelled out by these young learners reflects their unwavering determination to learn, despite limited resources, a tenacity now given new momentum with their school's selection as one of 104 in Perak to join the Anak Kita programme. The school's headmaster, Mohammad Rezal Shuib, said the programme is a collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, involving the placement of Guru Bitara (Master Teachers) from the local community to co-teach with remedial teachers, helping to ensure more effective communication and engagement with the students. He said Orang Asli students face significant educational challenges compared to mainstream students due to their different cultural and language backgrounds, as well as geographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors that shape their overall learning experience. 'The strength of the Anak Kita programme lies in its ability to adapt to local challenges, making it a more inclusive and effective educational initiative. 'At SK Sungai Tiang, for instance, most students are from the Jahai tribe who speak their mother tongue. Having a Guru Bitara, who understands the local culture and language, makes learning smoother and more effective,' he told Bernama. Launched on Sept 27, 2024, the programme is a national education reform initiative under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

[Photos] Remote Orang Asli School Gets Lifeline Through National Education Program

Rakyat Post

24-06-2025

General
Rakyat Post

[Photos] Remote Orang Asli School Gets Lifeline Through National Education Program

Subscribe to our FREE In the remote village of Sungai Tiang, accessible only by boat across Perak's Temenggor Lake in the Royal Belum Forest Reserve, 125 Jahai students are getting a second chance at education through Malaysia's ambitious The national initiative, launched on 27 September 2024 under the mandate of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, represents one of Malaysia's most comprehensive education reform efforts. Jointly spearheaded by the Finance and Education ministries and managed by Three-Pronged Approach to Education Reform Program Anak Kita addresses critical learning gaps through: Program 3M – Tackling basic literacy and numeracy among 53,252 students (Years 2-6) in 1,288 primary schools Program SPM – Supporting 10,119 students from 327 schools for SPM 2024, and 20,000 students from 905 schools for SPM 2025 in core subjects like Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah, and Mathematics Program Murid Cicir – Providing direct assistance to 500 dropout students nationwide, including transportation, school supplies, counselling, and reintegration support SK Sungai Tiang participates in Program 3M for students who have not yet mastered the skills of reading, writing, and counting, where the intervention couldn't have come at a better time. They have 16-year-olds who can barely write, says headmaster Mohd Rezal Shuib. The students here struggle with basic Malay – they only speak it when teachers talk to them. Their vocabulary is so limited that they can only give short answers. Overcoming Geographic Isolation The challenges are immense. During monsoon season, when water levels drop due to dam releases, the school becomes even more isolated. A one-way boat trip to the mainland costs RM100. Teachers sometimes carry food supplies on motorbikes from the riverbank when boats can't reach the school. Most parents are illiterate, leaving education entirely to the school. There is no canteen; the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) provides meals, and students only need to bring their own plates. Tailored Solutions Through RIMBA Module PAK's strength lies in its ability to adapt to local needs and requirements. Rather than imposing uniform solutions, it responds to each school's unique challenges through partnerships with three public universities and seven civil society organisations, monitored by At SK Sungai Tiang, the intervention pairs the school's remedial teacher, Akimi Bin Aning from Gua Musang, with 19-year-old Asyikin Jefri, a local Jahai graduate who has been chosen as a 'Guru Bitara' or mentor teacher. Asyikin, who completed Form 5 at a nearby school, now earns RM1,800 monthly teaching math and Malay to her own community's children using the specially developed Designed for students in the 'pemulihan khas' category, it focuses on reading and writing in Bahasa Melayu, as well as numeracy in Mathematics. 'UPSI gave me training before I started,' she says, referring to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, which manages the 3M program in Perak. Co-Teaching Model Shows Results The co-teaching model provides two remedial classes weekly—one for Malay and one for mathematics. Progress is tracked through the national Across Perak, Program 3M reaches 3,513 students in 104 schools, supported by 50 Guru Bitara graduates – many of whom are from Orang Asli backgrounds themselves – working alongside 104 remedial teachers. UPSI education graduates are given priority for deployment, with a ratio of one teacher to every two schools. Building Confidence Beyond Academics For secondary education, students must leave home first to SK Banun in Gerik until Form 3, then to boarding schools elsewhere for Forms 4 and 5. 'The students lack confidence. Some don't even think they could visit cities,' Mohd Rezal notes. The Jahai tribe is the least exposed to the outside world compared to other Orang Asli communities. But there are signs of hope. The school now has internet access, connecting students to the wider world. The program provides food twice daily to encourage attendance, alongside milk and meals under other government schemes such as the A Model for National Change PAK's comprehensive approach, combining teacher capacity building, leadership training for school administrators, and technological support, provides crucial assistance for schools like SK Sungai Tiang, which has 17 teachers and four boatmen who transport staff and education officials. 'What's working here shouldn't be the exception,' the program document states. 'It should become the model for systemic change across the country.' All interventions are designed to complement and reinforce ongoing initiatives under the Ministry of Education, creating a holistic support system for Malaysia's most vulnerable student communities. For now, in classrooms overlooking Temenggor Lake, change comes one student at a time through Malaysia's largest education intervention, proving what's possible when support is thoughtful, localised, and community-driven. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

Rafflesia and Orang Asli: beliefs, conservation, heritage

Free Malaysia Today

27-05-2025

Health
Free Malaysia Today

Rafflesia and Orang Asli: beliefs, conservation, heritage

The Rafflesia holds deep cultural meaning for local Orang Asli communities, especially the Temiar and Jahai tribes, who believe the flower possesses a spirit and serves as an indicator of the forest ecosystem's health. (Bernama pic) KOTA BHARU : Known as the 'corpse flower' owing to its foul smell that resembles rotting flesh, the Rafflesia is found only in Southeast Asia. This unique plant has no leaves, stems, or roots of its own – instead, it lives as a parasitic organism, attaching itself to the roots of other plants to extract nutrients from its host. As of October 2020, there are over 40 species of Rafflesia, all of which are found in peninsular Malaysia, Borneo (including Sabah and Sarawak), and the Philippines. In the peninsula, nine species have been identified: of them, three are found in Kelantan. Beyond scientific characteristics, the Rafflesia holds deep cultural meaning for local Orang Asli communities, especially the Temiar and Jahai tribes, who believe the flower possesses a spirit and serves as an indicator of the forest ecosystem's health. 'Before entering a Rafflesia habitat, some Orang Asli groups perform rituals or seek permission from forest spirits to ensure the harmony of nature is not disturbed,' explained Rusli Angah, a tour guide from the Temiar tribe. The flower is also seen as a sign of environmental change. According to Orang Asli beliefs, a sudden abundance of blooming Rafflesia may signal prolonged rainy seasons or significant ecological shifts. From the perspective of traditional medicine, the Rafflesia plays an important role in the health practices of the Orang Asli community. Certain parts of the flower, including its roots, are believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in treating women after childbirth. According to Rusli, 43, a decoction made from the flower is used to help accelerate uterine contraction and restore a mother's energy. He added that the use of the flower in traditional medicine extends to treating fevers and boosting the immune system. 'Although there is no scientific research confirming its effectiveness, long-standing beliefs and generational experience have made Rafflesia a part of the Orang Asli's traditional healing practices,' he said. Zulhazman Hamzah, a researcher from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, says the primary threat to Rafflesia in peninsular Malaysia is the lack of clear tourism guidelines in its natural habitats. (Bernama pic) Still, the community's use of Rafflesia is very controlled and guided by the belief that overexploitation could bring harm. They believe that harvesting the flower without good reason or in excessive amounts can upset the natural balance and bring misfortune to their community. Orang Asli and conservation Beyond their role as traditional users, the Orang Asli also play a key part in conserving the Rafflesia's natural habitat. As the original inhabitants of the forest, they are the first line of defence in detecting threats to the flower, such as illegal logging, land encroachment, and unregulated tourism. Rusli said the Orang Asli play a vital role as natural ecological monitors, significantly supporting efforts by the authorities and researchers to protect the Rafflesia from extinction. They often provide early information about new budding sites and potential threats to the flower's natural environment. The Rafflesia bud takes six to nine months to grow before it matures and blooms, lasting approximately five to seven days before dying and decaying. In the context of ecotourism, the Orang Asli serve as guides and caretakers of conservation sites, offering them both a livelihood and a role in environmental preservation. However, Rusli noted that various challenges currently threaten the survival of Rafflesia, including poorly managed tourism activities. 'Stepping near budding sites or picking the flower before it blooms can seriously disrupt its reproductive process,' he said, adding that without concrete measures, Rafflesia may face extinction in Malaysia – which would also mean the Orang Asli risk losing a part of their cultural heritage. 'Therefore, conservation efforts must be a shared responsibility to ensure the survival of this unique flora and the preservation of our cultural heritage.' Tourism threats Meanwhile, Zulhazman Hamzah, dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, said the primary threat to Rafflesia in peninsular Malaysia is not land use itself, but the lack of clear tourism guidelines in its natural habitats. 'For example, in ecotourism areas like Lojing in Kelantan, tourists often do not receive proper briefings on Rafflesia survival and conservation – specifically, what they should or should not do during their visit. 'As a result, visitors frequently touch or get too close to the blooming flowers, disrupting the pollination process carried out by forest flies,' he said. He added that close human presence can compact and damage the soil, potentially harming the underground host plant that supports the Rafflesia. Tourists also often step on newly emerging buds by accident. In efforts to preserve the Rafflesia's natural habitats, the Kelantan government has gazetted several areas as protected zones. (Bernama pic) 'Another threat comes from land clearing for large-scale agriculture and infrastructure development. Forest clearing for logging, agriculture and infrastructure doesn't directly target Rafflesia habitats, but the resulting landscape changes and soil erosion can disrupt the ecosystem, hinder growth, and threaten the species' survival,' he told Bernama. According to Zulhaznan, Rafflesia flowers in Kelantan can be found in several locations. In addition to Lojing, it has been spotted in Gunung Setong, Kuala Betus, and Taman Negara Kuala Koh. He noted that efforts have been made to ensure the species' survival, including tissue culture and root transplantation techniques. However, most have yet to yield significant success. 'Root transplants have seen some success in Sabah and Bogor, Indonesia, but challenges remain. If Rafflesia were to be widely propagated, its unique value might be diminished.' 'In efforts to preserve the Rafflesia's natural habitats, the state government has gazetted several areas as protected zones,' he added. He said this initiative would not only protect the species but also provide economic benefits to local communities, including the Orang Asli, who can generate income through tourism activities.