T’GANU RECORDS 581 SCHOOL DROPOUTS IN 2023, CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE ACTION

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Terengganu recorded 581 school dropouts at the secondary level in 2023, a sharp rise from 203 in 2022, said State Education, Higher Education Science, Technology and Human Development Committee chairman Datuk Satiful Bahari Mamat.

Speaking during the winding-up session of the state Budget 2025 at the Terengganu Legislative Assembly today, Satiful Bahari clarified that the term “dropout” applied to students who either did not sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination or left mainstream schooling for alternatives like religious schools or tahfiz centers.

He said several factors behind the surge, including disengagement from school, disciplinary issues, expulsions and early marriages. More concerning, the state recorded 309 teenage pregnancies in 2023, and 275 cases in 2024, he added.

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“If these teens get married, it’s less of a concern, but those who don’t are a troubling issue that we must address, as they represent the future generation,” he said.

Satiful Bahari stressed the importance of a unified, multi-pronged approach to address the issue and safeguard the future of these young individuals.

Meanwhile, State Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Ariffin Deramans said the state will establish the Terengganu Halal Council to facilitate halal certification for businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on supporting entrepreneurs.

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The council aims to promote the Terengganu halal brand both locally and internationally, while coordinating the state’s halal policies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“Currently, there are only 330 halal-certified entities in Terengganu. To increase this number, we are working closely with the State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) and federal agencies like JAKIM,” he said.

-- BERNAMA