The report, quoting Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon, said the enrolment for Orang Asli in primary schools this year stood at 26,383, whereas for secondary schools, it was only 12,793.
Chong was speaking to reporters after chairing a roundtable discussion on Orang Asli education in Cyberjaya today.
Several panellists, including Senator Isa Ab Hamid, who champion issues faced by the indigenous community, reportedly felt that the major reason Orang Asli children did not continue secondary studies was the distance between their homes and the nearest secondary school.
Chong said the ministry planned to increase the number of K9 schools – ones that offer classes from Year One to Six, followed by Form One to Three.
Earlier this year, Telang Usan State Assemblyman Dennis Ngau pointed out that the number of indigenous students in Sarawak was “dropping, worryingly”.
Ngau, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) youth chief for Baram, said that transport was one of the major hurdles that pupils faced, especially in rural areas without road links to school, with rivers being the only way to reach the nearest school.
Education has always posed a hurdle for Orang Asli children, with some of them reportedly being neglected by “unmotivated” teachers and being allegedly manhandled.