SERI KEMBANGAN: The high number of dropouts among Orang Asli children is a cause for concern, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said yesterday.

He said 2,254 Orang Asli children did not complete their secondary education, while 1,270 attended school until Year Six.
"This is a serious issue and we are working with the Education Ministry to address the problem.


"We want to motivate more students to further their studies abroad and we will provide study aid, including scholarships."

Shafie said this after presenting awards to 129 Orang Asli students who excelled in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examinations at a hotel near here yesterday.

He said the government had sent six Orang Asli students abroad last year and will send another eight this year.


Shafie also said the government would upgrade two schools in Gua Musang, Kelantan, and Pos Kemar, Grik in Perak, to a special comprehensive model school (K-9) with an allocation of RM29.6 million.

"The introduction of a K-9 school at Paloh Hinai in Pekan, Pahang, in 2007 proved to be a success and the government believes that the other two schools will be a success as well.

"The K-9 school is important in dealing with the school dropout issue. The concept has helped to reduce the rate of dropouts from 32 per cent in 2009 to 29 per cent last year."


The ministry also urged the Department of Orang Asli Development to help reduce the student dropout rate to 24 per cent this year.

Shafie said the government would be building an Orang Asli intellect centre.

"To date, there are 46,235 Orang Asli children in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher learning.

"Of the number, 370 students are studying in public universities this year compared with 230 students last year.