THE only way to get people in rural areas out of poverty is through comprehensive and holistic education, said Beaufort MP Azizah Mohd Dun.

She said this is especially true for Sabah and Sarawak residents who have been hit hard by Covid-19.

The pandemic has not only affected the poverty level in the peninsula, but also in all rural areas in the Borneo states, she added.

“The only way to eradicate poverty is via education. The Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented, and we need to adopt new methods.

“We (the government) need to carry out specific studies on which rural areas are affected and what they need,” she said at an online forum organised by think tank Institut Masa Depan Malaysia.

The forum is titled Towards National Recovery & Next Phase: Eradicating Hardcore Poverty By 2025.

Azizah said according to the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), eight of the 10 poorest districts in the country are in Sabah.

The eight districts in Sabah are Beluran, Kudat, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Tongod, Telupid and Nabawan, while the remaining two are Lojing, Kelantan, and Puma, Sarawak.

“Because of the sizes of these two states, one of the main issues is accessibility. It will be difficult to help these people if there is no access,” she said, adding that some areas have no road and some are accessible only by boat.

“Like in Kudat, it will take two hours.

“Accessibility is very important. We have to look into how we can eradicate poverty, which has been around since independence,” she said, adding that education is vital to pull them out of their situation.

Azizah said there must be resilience on how to tackle the issue and communication with all ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak.

Parents also have a crucial role in relaying the importance of education to their children, she added.

“In Kota Maradu, there are single mothers who have not even finished Form 5. To get out of poverty, they get married, then their husbands leave and their parents have to support them.

“We hope the 12MP will focus on this, and Sabah and Sarawak will get proper education accessibility.”

She said research should be conducted to look into how rural folk can change their lifestyle and eradicate poverty.

“There are many dilapidated schools in Sabah.

“Children must have a conducive learning environment. With no electricity and water, how are they going to get a good education?”

Collective effort needed

International Islamic University Malaysia deputy dean Mastura Badzis said to enhance education, all sectors must be involved.

“The Welfare Department, Education and Health Ministries… (all) must develop the environment to eradicate poverty.

“So, for whichever school, we need to see what they (students) need. We need a mechanism for this,” she said, adding that parents must play a part in developing their children via study-based assessment.

“Even if students get all As, what are their strengths and weaknesses? We have to see and help students realise their potential, not just getting good results.”

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia research fellow and sociologist Denison Jayasooria said poverty eradication must be done via partnership with the poor.

“Community engagements and self-help are important, where the people are consulted on local developments and work together.

“So, look into education and opportunities, and know where the people are from and start from there.”

He said one of his concerns is political donations and the lack of people-centric projects.

“Giving handouts takes away their dignity. There are self-help groups that will work to help the poor.” – October 20, 2021.