Suria Selasih Angit also called for the establishment of more community schools or learning centres in Orang Asli villages to improve the educational attainment of the community.
Speaking at the virtual Women Tribunal Malaysia, Suria said government and non-governmental agencies alike could partner with locals, especially mothers, to establish these learning centres.
“We can use an existing community learning centre in Kampung Tual, Pahang, for the Temuan tribe that is run by a group of teachers led by Jenita Engi, a member of the tribe, as a case study for this initiative,” said Suria.
She suggested reforms such as a strategic integration of elements of the Orang Asli into the curriculum for the students, and training for teachers on racial bias and internalised prejudice to foster mutual trust between teachers and Orang Asli students.
These recommendations, according to Suria, can strengthen the existing initiatives by the government to provide education for Orang Asli students such as the establishment of K-9 schools, contextualised curriculum, and the establishment of a research centre to develop curriculum and pedagogy.
Bias training was suggested by Suria in light of racism faced by Orang Asli students in their schools.
FMT had earlier reported that several Orang Asli students had shared testimonials at this virtual event about racial bullying, both verbal and physical, that they faced from fellow students in their schools. They said complaints to teachers often did not result in any action. This led to some of them quitting before they could complete their secondary education.
Suria attributed the racism in the school environment as a factor in the high dropout rate and low level of academic attainment among the Orang Asli community. However, she did not give any figures.
“Apart from that, the usage of a national curriculum that does not meet the needs of Orang Asli students also contributes to the high dropout rate and low level of academic attainment,” added Suria in the virtual event co-organised by the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality and Engender Consultancy.
Suria shared her own experience with racism during her schooling years, where she hid her Temiar identity to avoid being bullied.
“Unfortunately, racial bullying of Orang Asli students will not end even if they try to hide their identity and assimilate themselves within the wider community,” she said.