DEDICATED TEACHERS BRIDGE THE GAP FOR ORANG ASLI CHILDREN

By Nur Afiradina Arshad

IPOH, April 6 (Bernama) -- In the depths of the jungle, a group of dedicated teachers endure a two-hour journey through rugged terrain, winding trails, and a boat ride to reach Sekolah Kebangsaan Rancangan Penempatan Semula (RPS) Pos Kemar, Gerik. More than educators, they are beacons of hope for the Temiar Orang Asli children.

For P. Shalini, 32, the challenges of this journey are outweighed by her passion for teaching. Originally from Parit Buntar, Perak, she began her career as an English teacher at the remote school in 2017. Over the years, the struggles she has faced have not only toughened her spirit but also forged an unbreakable bond with the community.

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“These Orang Asli children are usually hesitant to accept outsiders, especially someone like me, who is of Indian descent. However, thanks to previous teachers from diverse backgrounds, they have become more open. I feel honoured that their families trust me,” she told Bernama.

Teaching at SK RPS Pos Kemar extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. For Shalini, education is about connection, understanding, and being part of the students' lives.

To fully commit to their roles, Shalini and her fellow teachers reside in school quarters, often going weeks or even months before returning to their own families. Yet, within the school’s walls and the surrounding villages, they have found a second home.

“The sense of belonging here is incredible. Despite being far from our own families, we are embraced as part of the community.

“We swim in the river with our students, conduct sewing classes with their parents, and I’ve even been a bridal makeup artist for Orang Asli weddings. These moments are priceless,” she shared.

Unlike in urban schools where gadgets dominate children’s lives, students here thrive on simple joys -playing in nature, learning through real-life experiences, and forming deep relationships with their teachers.

“The most rewarding part is hearing them speak even a few words of English. It may seem small to others, but for them, mastering a foreign language is a huge step forward. It fills me with pride,” she added.

For another teacher, Muhamad Faris Mokhtar, 35, the journey to school is an adventure filled with real dangers. His commute is nothing short of an expedition - dodging landslides, navigating past fallen trees, and encountering wildlife, including wild elephants.

“Just two weeks ago, I crossed paths with a herd of wild elephants on my way to school. It wasn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last. But with nearly nine years of experience on these routes, I’ve learned how to handle these encounters,” he said.

Yet, no challenge is too great when the goal is clear - to empower the Orang Asli children through education.

“Knowledge is the key to a better future. If these children are given the opportunity to learn, they can uplift their families and break the cycle of hardship. That thought keeps me going,” he said.

With over 1,000 students from preschool to Form Three, SK RPS Pos Kemar is classified as a K9 school (nine years of schooling) under the Ministry of Education. But to its teachers and students, it is more than a school - it is a home filled with love, resilience, and the unwavering hope for a brighter future.

-- BERNAMA