Recovery plan in the works for dropouts

Back to school: Fadhlina visiting students at a boarding school in Nibong Tebal. — Bernama

NIBONG TEBAL: A recovery plan is being drawn up to guide students who have dropped out of the national education system, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

Fadhlina said it is in the midst of collecting data and information, including from NGOs, on the issue.

“The MOE does have a plan on this but so far, we do not have complete data. So, we are still in the process of collecting input, including from NGOs that conduct research on the issue.

“We intend to get feedback from all, including NGOs. If they have information, including the allegation that 100,000 students have dropped out, please bring the data to the ministry to work on intervention with us,” she said after visiting the Nibong Tebal constituency Free Market 2023 at the Bukit Panchor basketball court here yesterday.

Fadhlina, who is also Nibong Tebal MP, was commenting on an NGO’s suggestion for the ministry to draw up a recovery plan to guide the “lost generation” of students.

Untuk Malaysia chief executive officer Zul Fikri Zamir reportedly said that field research found that nearly 100,000 students were considered dropouts from the education system, which was a very worrying reality.

Bernama quoted Fadhlina as saying that MOE always takes the issue of dropouts seriously as it is also one of the ministry’s seven main thrusts.

“I hope the NGO concerned can come to the ministry to discuss this together because we also want to see whether or not the programmes (regarding the issue of dropouts) have been carried out effectively,” she said.

Fadhlina also said the ministry had completed its investigation into the incident of a volleyball coach slapping two young female players, adding that this was submitted to its Integrity Unit for further action.

“I want to emphasise that from the beginning, we have stated that in this case, the process is very important.

“We have space for justice for all and even the coach can also make a representation,” she said, adding however that the ministry will not compromise on violence.

A video showing the Melaka Under-14 girls’ volleyball team coach slapping two of his players during a tournament in Johor from Sept 14 to 16 last year went viral recently.

The coach, Saiful Hadee Amar, 44, has since publicly apologised for his action, saying that he is ready to face action.