‘Mission 2030: Zero Dropouts’: a project to uplift Malaysian Indian B40 schoolkids

Have you ever wondered why there are so many dropouts from the Indian B40 community in Malaysia?

The main cause of this problem is the lack of education emphasis and awareness created when a child is in the lower primary level. It is mind-blowing fact. Currently, most attention is paid to children preparing for board exams or when they progress to the secondary level. Much of our “attacks” to try and arrest the dropout rate happen when teens are already at the crossroads. In truth, it is the learning and the social experience they have from birth that influences their attitudes about education, society and their own lives.

Almost 99% of dropouts are from the B40 families. When a Tamil school student fails Bahasa Malaysia or English, they end up in Remove Classes when they enter secondary school. This results in slower growth as they lose one year of their life. Feeling left out without proper guidance and support pushes them to quit. The sense of discipline and focus is minimal and therefore, hard to build as they were not nurtured that way since young.

What more when most of their parents have had minimal education. The lack of involvement between a parent and child leads to higher dropout rates. If a parent does not encourage her child to stay in school, show interest in classes and teachers, communicate with teachers or pay attention to homework assignments, the child may not see any reason to follow through with the coursework.

An engaged parent notices the red flags, such as failing marks or a student who is not attending class regularly. Parents who are too busy with work or their own struggles are less likely to notice these problems. This means that important intervention opportunities are missed and the student continues to draw a path that leads to dropping out.

The B40 social environment plays a huge factor as well. A negative environment is tied to multiple outcomes for students and has been shown to exacerbate harmful behaviour and diminish the achievement. They get trapped in the cycle of poverty, criminal acts, gangsterism et cetera. The B40 Malaysian Indian community has kept on producing students with poor academic results since independence. It is TIME TO REIMAGINE EDUCATION.

What are we going to do about it?

As the title of the project ‘Mission 2030: Zero Dropouts’ suggests, this is a 10-year journey we are embarking on to ensure that by 2030 there should be no dropouts from secondary school (after SPM) amongst our B40 kids. The foundation or the seeds for a sound sustainable long-term education has to be planted at the lower primary level – in standards 1, 2 and 3.

This project is also to adjust to the “new normal” and make available online studies for 200 poor primary school children who cannot afford online learning gadgets like computers and tabs. As the Covid-19 pandemic strikes harder, the challenges for the B40 community gets even more difficult. To make matters worse, even education during the pandemic is becoming a luxury item with B40 children unable to attend online classes as they cannot afford electronic gadgets like laptops, computers or tabs. This has caused a digital divide that is tarnishing the education system for the hardcore poor.

We are going to focus on the B40 families. Ensuring that all their kids going into Primary 1 get proper coaching/tuition after school hours. We are creating a solid education pipeline with no leakages (drop out signals) that includes;

1) Database of B40 Students

Specific locations around the Klang Valley area will be open for the registration of 200 students to be a part of this program. The students will need to show documentation proving that they are from the B40 community. Once verified, required details will be taken to process the registration. (this is for phase 1)

2) Technology & Internet Access

To break the digital divide issue, each registered student will receive a 10-inch electronic tablet equipped with an internet data plan sim card to allow digital access for the students during the online classes.

3) Experienced Volunteer Teachers

A group of volunteer teachers will be selected to run the academic modules via virtual sessions. Teaching methods will be monitored by our team to ensure a sustainable and professional approach in building a conducive educational foundation for these young minds.

4) Academic Courses

A collection of 5 subjects will be taught to the children on a class schedule. These 5 subjects are inclusive of English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mathematics, Science and Personal Development studies. This is to ensure that they develop both knowledge and intellectual skills as they progress into high school.

5) Term Assessments and Personal Development Programs

To help build consistency in the educational growth of the child. The personal development programs will help strengthen their minds and build confidence to face negative threats and influences in the community.

6) 24/7 Support & Care System

A team will be sent out on a regular basis to service electronic devices that are given to students to ensure there are no issues that disrupt their educational journey. Students will be able to reach out to teachers or the team in case of any assistance needed.

How Can You Help?

Join us on this noble mission in transforming these young lives. You may help by;

1. Be a Teacher

2. Be a Sports and Personal Development Mentor

3. Volunteer Team (to meet and engage with more B40 families in Malaysia)

You may donate as well to our cause. Donate a tab for RM300.

For more information, do visit us at tara.org.my

This content is provided by TARA Foundation.

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