Malaysian blind student’s 45-minute motorbike ride for education

A simple school bag can give blind students a sense of belonging and confidence in school. Photos: The Star/Sheela Chandran

Every weekday at 6am, Siti Nursuhaila Jamil hops on her father’s motorbike, and sets off on a 40-minute ride from her home in Rawang, Selangor, to her school in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

The visually impaired student is determined to complete her education, knowing it will pave the way for a brighter future.

“It is a long ride, but I enjoy going to school. I get to meet my friends and learn new things,” said Siti Nursuhaila, 19.

Siti Nursuhaila proudly showing her new school supplies to her teacher, Mohd Ikhwan Suhaimi.Despite the challenges, she remains focused on her studies. She takes subjects like Bahasa Malaysia, English and Islamic Studies, but her favourite lessons are in vocational training, where she learns skills that will help her find employment after school.

“As part of my vocational training, I am learning food product packaging and gift-wrapping. These skills may seem simple, but they mean a lot to me. Learning how to pack and wrap gifts gives me the confidence to work and be independent.

“Hopefully, I can use them to secure a job and support myself once I leave school.”

For students like Siti Nursuhaila, having the right school supplies can make a big difference in their learning experience. That is why the Malaysian Association For the Blind (MAB) held its annual “Back To School” event on Feb 20 at its headquarters in Brickfields, KL.

The initiative provided 245 visually impaired students from nine schools in the Klang Valley with essential school supplies such as bags, tumblers, lunch boxes and toiletries.

MAB has been running this ­initiative since 2016. This year, the programme received RM18,500 in sponsorship from Giving Tree Charity, a non-profit organisation based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

MAB chief executive officer Datuk George Thomas, 62, said the initiative aims to give blind students the confidence to start their academic year on the right foot.

“Many blind students need these supplies, but their parents can’t afford them. Through our conversations with these children, we have learnt that not having a proper school bag can make them feel isolated. We want to encourage them to attend school with confidence and pride.

“With these new supplies, we hope these children with special needs can go to school happily and feel more included,” he said after the launch.

The Back To School event provided 245 visually impaired students from nine schools in the Klang Valley with essential school supplies.

According to data from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), there are over 4,000 visually impaired students aged six to 18 in Malaysia, but only 2,600 are currently enrolled in school.

“Despite having eight special schools and 21 integrated programmes nationwide, many visually impaired students remain out of school. We don’t know where they are or why they aren’t attending. It could be due to overprotective parents or a lack of awareness about available facilities.

“We hope these parents will take the initiative to encourage their children to pursue education,” said Thomas.

He added that schooling is not just about academic learning – it helps visually impaired students build confidence, develop social skills and integrate better with the sighted community.

“By attending mainstream schools and participating in everyday activities, they develop essential social skills to adapt to different situations. The interaction also helps the sighted community better understand and support them.

“Beyond knowledge, education builds confidence, social connections, and opportunities for future employment. By ensuring equal access to learning, we empower them to contribute meaningfully to society and lead fulfilling lives,” he shared.

'Our goal is to ensure that they have the tools and opportunities to build a future,' says Thomas. Photo: FilepicAccording to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, there were 3,856 civil servants with disabilities working in 2023. Of this number, nearly 800 are visually impaired.

MAB is currently building a vocational training centre in Temerloh, Pahang designed to accommodate 70 blind trainees. The centre will provide essential skills and rehabilitation programmes to enhance their independence and integration into society. Training will cover areas such as agriculture, handicrafts, entrepreneurship, religious studies, technology skills, rehabilitation programmes, and baking. It will be opened in November.

Thomas added that equipping blind students with practical abilities opens doors to employment and self-sufficiency.

“Our goal is to ensure that they have the tools and opportunities to build a future where they can contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

Siti Nursuhaila is grateful for the supplies from MAB’s Back To School event.

“Thanks to this contribution, my parents don’t have to buy these items for me,” she said. She received a canvas bag with toiletries and a towel, which she will use for her Personal Care subject in school.

As part of the subject, she learns fine motor skills such as putting on socks, brushing her teeth, and combing her hair – essential everyday tasks that help her develop independence.

With each skill she learns and every challenge she overcomes, Siti Nursuhaila remains focused on her goal of completing her education and building a better future for herself.