Dyslexic teen pushes against system that fails those with disabilities

Editor's note: This article has been edited to remove the name of a student interviewed upon the request of his family.

Students dropping out of school due to learning disabilities such as autism, Down’s Syndrome, and dyslexia is a painful reality that can happen when the country’s education system fails to meet the needs of people with disabilities (PWDs).

Additionally, societal stigma and lack of awareness about learning disabilities from families, especially parents, also worsen the situation, despite decades of advocacy. 

One such student is a 17-year-old who will be sitting for the SPM for the first time in his second year back in Malaysia after a spell overseas.

Despite having done well abroad, he is struggling now and is not confident about getting through. He expressed concern about his future if his academic achievements are unimpressive.

The teen is one of six Kedah students involved in...