Keeping children in school

The Ministry of Education plans to achieve full enrolment in primary schools and retain students in secondary schools within few years.

The Ministry of Education is facing numerous challenges as it aims to improve education for communities in rural areas and close the gap between urban and rural in enrolment numbers.  Some of the challenges associated with reaching out to communities in extremely remote areas, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, are mainly due to lack of facilities, modes of transportation, geographical challenges, and others. In some cases, students spend few days on the road to reach the nearest school to their home village.

Boarding schools in these areas have accommodation and essential facilities. However, students are still in need of proper supervision and guidance, especially students as young as 7 years old who require special attention as they stay away from their families.

According to the 2015 annual report from the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint, enrolment in primary schools was as high as 98% and secondary school enrolment was at 85%. The challenge the ministry faces is retaining student enrolment at the secondary education level where significantly higher dropout rates are observed among families and children of a low income as many students need to work and contribute to their family financially.

The ministry, on the other hand, is planning to retain and increase the number of students in secondary schools by paving the path to TVET (technical and vocational education and training) courses, which may cater better to student needs in these areas.

According to the Minister of Education, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, the nation is committed to implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets identified by the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mahdzir spoke about the state of enrolment in schools at the Education 2030 Symposium. The Symposium focused on the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4), which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Malaysian Education Blueprint has achieved three of its main targets in the first phase of implementation. These targets were in language literacy, increase in enrolment, and bridging the gap between urban and rural areas.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education has given the green light for more international schools nationwide, particularly outside of the Klang Valley and Greater Kuala Lumpur area.