Developing the Orang Asli human capital: A case study on the roles and determination of educational goals among Orang Asli parents in Kuantan, Pahang

Parents play a crucial role in the human resource development of their children. As such their ability to perform this role well or otherwise needs to be studied. This study examined the roles of Malaysia’s Orang Asli parents in determining the educational goals and enhancing the academic achievements of their children. In this case study, empirical data were obtained from four Kuantan’s Orang Asli mothers and fathers as key informants through indepth interviews, protocols and observations. The interview data were analyzed, categorized and triangulated to determine the validity and reliability of the results. The main finding revealed that, quite contrary to common presumptions, Orang Asli parents did have aspirations and some educational goals for their children, were involved in the children’s school activities, and had taken actions to ensure that their children succeed in school. This serves to amplify the relevance and importance of guiding the parents to establish clearer and more concrete educational goals for their children to help, among other things, reduce the students’ school absenteeism and dropouts.