Understanding Disparity in Education and Challenges among Indigenous Communities: A Case Study

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The educational gap among the Orang Asli communities in Malaysia is a persistent challenge, despite the country's progress in education. A variety of ethnic groups with diverse cultures and languages make up the Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Malaysia. This paper examines the diverse educational disparities among the Orang Asli and highlights the key factors that contribute to them. Parental influence and awareness play a crucial role in the educational success of Orang Asli children. Many Orang Asli parents have had little exposure to formal education; they are unaware of the importance of education in improving their own lives and those of their children. As a result, they often find it difficult to be a positive role model for their children, leading to poor educational performance. Another major hurdle for Orang Asli students is poor accessibility. These communities are usually located in remote and rural areas, far away from well-developed cities and towns. Inadequate infrastructure, such as unpaved roads and bridges, and the lack of public transportation contribute to the long and arduous journey to school. This demotivates the children and hinders their progress at school. Socio-economic factors further exacerbate the inequalities. Many Orang Asli families live in poverty, which limits their ability to provide school supplies, uniforms and transportation. Their remote location and financial burden create additional barriers to education. The education and income level of parents influence the school dropout rate, with the parents' education level being a particularly important factor. If parents do not have a higher education, it is difficult to adequately support and guide their children in their educational journey. As Malaysia strives to provide equal access to education for all citizens, including indigenous communities, these findings highlight the need for targeted interventions. Raising awareness among parents, improving accessibility, and providing socio-economic support are important steps to reduce educational inequality among the Orang Asli.