Deciphering the Malaysian aboriginal low educational achievement: A look at the school accessibility issue

Orang Asli or aboriginal students in Malaysia have been found to be lagging in terms of educational achievement. Various causes of high school dropout rates among the aboriginal students have been suggested and the most prominent are those related to school accessibility . This study examined the level of school accessibility among aboriginal students in Tapah. The SMK Seri Tapah and SMK Tapah were selected for the study due to the high enrolment of aboriginal children in these two schools. Utilising field surveys, observations and interviews with teachers together with data obtained from the Student Information System the study discovered that public modes of transport such as buses and trucks were available to Orang Asli students. However, the transport services provided were not satisfactory in terms of quality, quantity and service. In terms of distance, the aboriginal students on average travelled more than 15 km to get to school while the average duration of each trip was in excess of 45 minutes. Although judging by these figures the problem of school accessibility in this case study does not seem to be too overwhelming, making it easier and faster on the daily basis for students to access their institutions of learning can only enhance their chances of becoming better achievers.