THERE are growing concerns that the education of up to 60% of Orang Asli pupils in Peninsular Malaysia could be affected as they have no access to online study materials since schools were closed due to the movement-control order (MCO).

The Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) told The Malaysian Insight this has affected students who are mostly living in the interior and rural areas.

Its executive director, Colin Nicholas, said that after a few months of not getting access to educational tools, they will fall very far behind in their studies when schools reopen.

“This is compared to pupils who are in urban areas, as their lessons are ongoing.

“It could result in the Orang Asli children finding it difficult to cope when school resumes and they could end up dropping out,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

It was reported that there were 26,126 Orang Asli pupils in primary schools and 11,419 students in secondary schools last year.

Since the MCO in March, schools have closed and teachers have started conducting classes online.

Form Five and Form Six students have begun classes since June 24 as the country moved into the recovery phase.

The Education Ministry has yet to announce when lessons will resume for the rest.

Nicholas said that even if they want to study or do homework, some do not even have access to computers or to print out materials.

“It doesn’t mean that if they are far in the interior there is no line. Some areas do have Internet access, but they don’t have the gadgets such as computers and handphones for them to go online.

“There should be access to the gadgets and funds to pay for the monthly internet charges.”

He said the Education Ministry should look into providing help for the students.

“For the short term, they should get teachers to work harder when schools reopen.

“The teachers must motivate the students to get back to the current syllabus. They could also have remedial classes.

“The bigger problem lies in primary schools because most do not have handphones or laptops and cannot go online.”

In looking towards a long-term solution, he suggested that the Education Ministry help pupils get online by providing the proper gadgets.

No access

Amino Angah, a spokesman for the residents of Kg Kelaik in Gua Musang, Kelantan told The Malaysian Insight that since the MCO, about 40 primary school pupils have no access to any form of education.

“Since March, they have not been studying. While there is some internet connection here, it’s slow.”

He also said that the school is located 25km from their village and they also have no computers.

“We hope that the relevant agencies can look into these issues.”

The Orang Asli in Ulu Geruntum in Gopeng, Perak also said that about 70 primary pupils have not been studying since the MCO was enforced.

Villager Wah Sona said they have no Internet access in their village, making it difficult for the teachers to send any learning materials.

“For these few months, they have missed out on studies.

“The most important thing is for those who will be going to secondary school. They need to keep up with their studies.”

The MCO was enforced on March 18 to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has so far infected 8,616 in the country and killed 121. – June 28, 2020.