The Malaysian Insight

LACK of access to devices, technology and the internet is proving to be a major hindrance to Orang Asli pupils taking part in online schooling during the movement-control order, said their parents.

They told The Malaysian Insight that their children have no choice but to sit out of the online classes held under the MCO to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Meh Meri Orang Asli wood carver Mizan Hasan, 43, from Pulau Carey, said four school-going children share the only smartphone.

The lack of devices and proper connection is also stopping his children from attending virtual classes.

“I have seen on the news that the kids in the city study through applications like Zoom and I wish my kids would get that opportunity as well.

“Here, we get a message via WhatsApp from the teacher on what are the assignments for the day.

“At times, the teachers will send video files as well but with the bad internet connection, it’s quite hard to download the files.

“People might look down on us but education is important for our kids just as much as for those kids in the city,” said Mizan.

Studying via WhatsApp is tricky because no one is monitoring his children, said Mizan, as he has to go out early to earn a bit of extra income.

“I wish I could at least get a laptop for my kids but I am barely surviving to provide food for them as there has been barely an income for us since the MCO.”

Another craftsman Samari Abdul Rahman, 44, said his children have to go out of the village to get internet connection.

“Although it has been tough for my kids, I do feel grateful that at least I own a smartphone. There are some families in the village who could not afford to get one.

“There are times where I even lend my smartphone to those kids without one in their family.

“I know it has been hard for us to cope with online studies but we do respect the teachers as they are giving their best to provide our kids with what they have,” said Samari.

According to Samari, he is spending more to buy mobile data to ensure the children can continue online classes.

Another villager, Rita Uju, 47, is hoping face-to-face teaching would resume soon.

Her youngest daughter turns 13 this year and has just registered for secondary school but they don’t know when the session will begin.

“I hope it resumes as soon as possible because it has been almost a month without her having any studying to do.

“I honestly don’t know how she can cope if the classes are online,” said Rita, adding that on cloudy days, there is no internet connection.

The government has extended the MCO, dubbed MCO 2.0, until February 18 in all states, except Sarawak.

Lessons have been limited to virtual classes during the MCO period, except for pupils sitting for exams, who have now returned to schools. – February 5, 2021.