Special schools boost educational performance

SHAH ALAM - The government's proposal to establish special schools for students from the poorest families is suitable to be implemented in this country to help boost students' performance in education.

National education laureate Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said there would be no separation level issues or children not being able to socialise regardless of religion, ethnicity or social status.

"These students will no longer be bound by their backgrounds if all the facilities were provided at the school.

"There will be trained teachers, playground facilities, hostels, and nutritious meals provided. This can further enhance their potential in education, where background will no longer play a role," he said when contacted by Sinar Harian yesterday.

He addressed concerns that the pilot project for special schools for the poorest families might lead to level separation and labeling among students, even as the country was moving towards an inclusive education system.

This concern was raised by Dr Anuar Ahmad, a senior lecturer at the Centre of Diversity and Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia who believed that schools should be inclusive spaces where children can interact regardless of religion, ethnicity or social status, whether poor or wealthy.

Further elaborating on the matter, Alimuddin, who was also a former Education director-general said the students involved would compete with each other just like in schools with complete facilities.

"In this context, they will focus on learning and all available facilities, including trained teachers will help them progress in their studies.

"Hence, this pilot project is vey much welcomed if the government is able to implement it. Any initiative for these less privileged students should receive support from all of us," he said.

He added that these students, if given the opportunity and provided complete learning facilities, can progress like other capable students and the elite even though they came from poor families.

"I also do not see any downside to this initiative; in fact, all students selected to enter this school will be fortunate and have the chance to change their family's destiny someday.

"It will also reduce educational disparities because we know that educational facilities differ between rural and urban areas.

"Sometimes in rural areas, certain places have no access to electricity and water and it's difficult to access roads. So if everything is provided completely to the students, it will benefit them," he explained.

Meanwhile, National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) president, Aminuddin Awang suggested that the Education Ministry could also consider other methods to engage the interest of children from poor backgrounds, as there were a few among them who were not interested in learning.

I propose that learning contents could also emphasise skill aspects such as encouraging these children to become entrepreneurs, rather than focusing solely on academic subjects.

"Additionally, usually when we talk about poverty, the focus is often on those who live in rural or remote areas.

"However, let's not forget that there are also poor students in the urban area and it is hoped that the government can also include them," he said.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister announced that the government intended to introduce special schools for the poorest children in the country so that they were not left behind in the education system.