PROG K11 TO BE EXTENDED TO THREE MORE ORANG ASLI SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR - FADHLINA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) will implement the Comprehensive Special Model School 11 (K11) Programme in three more Orang Asli schools next year to reduce student dropout, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She said the programme, which offers 11 years of education from Year One to Form Five under the same premises and administration, will be implemented at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jernang, Sungkai, Perak; SK Satak, Raub, Pahang; and SK Datuk Undang Abdullah, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan.

She said the K11 School Programme is currently being implemented in five schools in Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Sarawak, which takes into account the educational needs, forest-friendliness and cultural inclusiveness of the Orang Asli community.

“As of November 2025, the transition rate of Orang Asli students from Year Six to Form One is (increased) from 89 per cent in 2023 to 94.70 per cent,” she said during a question-and-answer session at Dewan Negara today.

She was responding to a question from Senator Shahrol Wizan Sulong on the Ministry of Education’s plan to develop a community school model based on cultural relevance and inclusiveness, being jungle-friendly, and providing specific training to teachers so that the learning approach is more in line with the life and cultural background of the Orang Asli community.

To ensure that teachers can adapt and understand Orang Asli culture, Fadhlina said the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Tengku Ampuan Afzan Campus (IPGKTAA) in Kuala Lipis, Pahang has been appointed as a centre of excellence in Orang Asli pedagogy.

“In addition, a special route for the recruitment of Orang Asli teachers was also introduced to increase the number of teachers among the Orang Asli community. To date, a total of 538 Orang Asli teachers are serving in schools nationwide,” she said.

Fadhlina also touched on other initiatives including the Jom Belajar Programme which includes the Orang Asli Student Special Programme model and the Chup Badui Sikulah (CBS), with 299 Orang Asli children successfully persuaded to attend school until November 2025.

In addition, the Special Humane Education Programme (ProKhas) was also implemented to reach out to the community with teachers moving to student locations, such as the Tasik Banding Floating School Programme in Gerik, which uses raft houses (houseboats) as mobile learning spaces.

“To date, five ProKhas models have been implemented in Orang Asli, Peribumi and remote community settlements in Perak, Kelantan and Sabah, involving a total of 246 students.

“The Ministry of Education also plans to expand ProKhas to Sarawak in 2026, specifically involving nearly 200 Penan children in the Belaga District, through the concept of the “Mobile School Programme” which will be run by Penan teachers themselves, based on local culture,” he said.

In addition, Fadhlina said community support was also enhanced through the Orang Asli and Peribumi Parents Adult Class Programme (KEDAP) involving 2,048 parents in 84 schools throughout this year which aims to increase their awareness and support for their children’s education.

-- BERNAMA