Confronting school dropout rates

Improving conditions: Ahmad Zahid (centre, top) posing for a photo with members of the Penang Regional Development Authority at the monthly assembly of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Counselling for parents, cash assistance for families and monitoring workplaces are among strategies that the government is using to bring down the dropout rate among secondary school students.

It is hoped that these efforts will help children stay in school and at least obtain their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

There were 14,506 school dropouts in 2023, according to data presented to the National Social Council meeting, which he chaired yesterday.

Among the reasons these children dropped out of school were the need to work to support their families, poverty and a lack of interest in school.

“Firstly, we need to drum up the importance of education until at least SPM for pupils.

“This will be done through publicity programmes and in print, electronic media and social media platforms,” said Ahmad Zahid.

Poor families whose children are forced to work will be provided with assistance so that their kids can attend school, he added.

“Parents and guardians will also be advised to see to it that children continue to remain in school,” he told reporters after chairing the meeting yesterday.

Another initiative was to provide students with conducive environments to study and do homework.

The government will also monitor employers who hire school students to ensure that they stick to the legal working hours allowed for teenagers, he said.

The meeting yesterday also decided to put in place programmes to create better awareness on HIV/AIDS, particularly among the young.

Ahmad Zahid said records showed that 74% of those with HIV infections are aged between 20 and 39.

“They must be given information and knowledge about the disease, and how it can be prevented,” he said.

The meeting was also presented with several proposals and initiatives to prevent, control and treat HIV/AIDS, including establishing shelters.

“These homes will provide care for persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially those who have no support and who have been shunned by their families,” he added.

The meeting also agreed that efforts be made to boost employment and education opportunities for persons living with HIV/AIDS, he said.

The meeting also decided that reproductive and social health education (PEERS) would be improved and made mandatory at religious schools.