SHAH ALAM - The current education system in Malaysia inadequately supports refugee children, who face significant barriers due to a lack of official recognition and access to public education.
Malaysia's education system faces a critical gap in support for refugee children, leaving many of these vulnerable young learners without the resources and opportunities they needed to thrive.
As they grappled with language barriers, past traumas and an uncertain future, the lack of tailored educational programmes and support structures exacerbates their struggles.
Thanusha Ramanieswaran, a teacher who teaches refugee students said the current education system in Malaysia does not adequately support refugee students.
"They face significant barriers due to the lack of official recognition and access to public education. Policy reforms are essential in this context.
"The Malaysian government could officially recognise refugees and provide them with access to public education, ensuring that refugee children can attend school without discrimination or legal barriers.
"Increased funding and resources should be allocated to community-based learning centres and NGOs that currently provide education to refugee children, improving the quality of education through better facilities, materials and teacher salaries," she said.
The teacher at Dignity for Children Foundation also emphasised that implementing language support programmes to help refugee children learn English and Malay was crucial.
"This could include ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, language immersion programmes and bilingual education.
"Integrating psychosocial support services within the education system, such as access to counsellors, mental health professionals and peer support programmes, is also vital for addressing the emotional and psychological needs of refugee children.
"Lastly, the Education Ministry should develop a flexible and inclusive curriculum that accommodates the diverse educational backgrounds of refugee children," she added.