As the government moves forward with plans to make secondary education compulsory, a major concern has emerged regarding students living in remote and inaccessible areas. The journey to school for many of these children is far from ordinary, and without urgent action, the proposal risks leaving them behind.
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, chairman of the Parent Action Group for Education, voiced her concerns, stressing that while daily school attendance may seem routine to most, it is a significant struggle for those in isolated regions. She emphasized that for the compulsory secondary education initiative to succeed, substantial investment in infrastructure and transportation is essential.
"We agree that secondary education should be made compulsory, but we caution that the daily struggle for those in remote areas must be addressed", Azimah said in an interview with the New Straits Times. She explained that where schools are inaccessible, the government must provide improved transport options or create accommodation such as hostels, with adequate maintenance and proximity to schools. These measures, however, would require a significant federal budget.
Azimah also called for data collection to understand why, despite primary education being compulsory, the full 100 percent enrollment rate has not been achieved. "We need a realistic target for student attendance. Otherwise, these goals will remain just names, with no real improvements", she said.
The discussion comes after Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that the government is considering a compulsory secondary school policy. This initiative aims to address absenteeism, reduce dropout rates, and improve the quality of education across the country. Fadhlina highlighted that the policy seeks to ensure students do not miss out on the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, a key qualification for employment and further studies.
Earlier this month, Fadhlina revealed that approximately 10,000 candidates had yet to confirm their attendance for the SPM exam this year, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
