Orang Asli schoolchildren in Gua Musang dropping out due to distance

The Orang Asli communities in Kampung Aring 5 and Kuala Koh in Gua Musang have urged the government to build schools in nearby areas to prevent their children from dropping out.

Kampung Penghulu 5 headman, Raina Anjang said that over the last three years, about 100 children in the village, aged between seven and 12, had quit school.

He said now the nearest school was SK Pasir Linggi located 100km from the village.

He said the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) provided vehicles to send the pupils to SK Pasir Linggi hostel, however, the service was rejected.

Raina said most parents did not want their children to stay in the hostel as they were too young and not ready to take care of themselves. They were also worried about their children’s safety while at the hostel.

A father, Sabri Sabtu, 30, said the distance from their home to the school was too far and families could not digest the idea of their children staying at the hostel.

He also said that some 30 secondary school students had dropped out of school. The nearest secondary school was SMK Paloh located about 80km from their village.

“I myself have three children, two of whom had been in primary school but all three are no longer going to school because they do not want to stay in the hostel,” Sabri said.

- Bernama