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.
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