Kuala Lumpur: A total of 1,482 children have enrolled in 71 Orang Asli schools as of February 17 this year, as announced by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh. He emphasized the Education Ministry’s commitment to extending preschool education, which is a significant component of the ministry’s educational reforms. To date, 140 preschool classes have been established nationwide.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, preschool classes have been integrated within schools located in remote village areas. Currently, there are 98 Orang Asli schools, with 71 of these schools hosting a total of 80 preschool classes. Wong made these remarks during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, in response to Senator Manolan Mohamad’s inquiry about the ministry’s plans to introduce preschool classes in remote Orang Asli villages.

Addressing Manolan’s supplementary question on expanding educational access to Orang Asli villages, especially to address literacy challenges among students with learning issues, Wong stated that the MOE’s primary aim is to provide access to education first. He noted that the MOE has expanded the Comprehensive Special Model School 9 (K9) and Comprehensive Special Model School 11 (K11) initiatives in recent years to improve education access for Orang Asli children in remote areas.

Wong further mentioned that the K11 initiative has added five more classes this year to ensure these children have access to preschool, primary, and secondary education. Last year, the ministry established 28 K9 schools and two K11 schools as part of their efforts to provide comprehensive education to children in these communities.