The Ministry of Education (MoE) takes the issue of students dropping out of school seriously, said Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh.
“When students quit or leave school before completing their education, they will lose the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary in life,” she said.
“It will lead to social issues such as unemployment, poverty and mental health problems,” she added.
The minister was responding to a query by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof on steps or measures undertaken by the MoE to address students dropping out.
The minister said several initiatives have been implemented to address the issue, including awareness programmes regarding amendments to the Compulsory Education Act and the importance of school attendance.
“The programme involves various stakeholders such as the school community, parents, students and relevant agencies.
“Additionally, the MoE through the Department of Schools is conducting home visits, collaborating with grassroots leaders, and engaging with parent-teacher associations to assist and prevent students’ absenteeism,” the minister said.
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah added that other measures undertaken to support students with attendance issues and those from underprivileged backgrounds is through the Ri’ayah wa Mahabbah programme by allocating them at Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College Hostel.
The minister deliberated statistics obtained from the Department of Planning, Development, and Research for 2022 indicating that only 212 students or 0.28 per cent of 78,835 students, dropped-out.
Additionally, since November 1, 2023 the MoE shifted its strategy of penalising and taking action if parents fail to send their children to school by emphasising more on the importance of attending school.
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah also encouraged students not attending school for specific reasons to seek ministry assistance and work together to address the issue.
Since the implementation of the new approach, 13 students who had dropped out of the schooling system have been re-enrolled. – Rokiah Mahmud
