TANJUNG MALIM: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has developed a 3M module to help boost the education of Orang Asli in Perak.

UPSI Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin who is also the EmpowerNCER Akademik@Perak Programme director said the module includes the 3M basics namely reading, writing and counting as well as sustainability of interest, motivation, humanity skills and communication.

He said the programme is aimed at improving the academic achievements and school attendance of Orang Asli children especially during the transition period from Year Six (primary school) to secondary school through a more effective teaching method based on the module developed by UPSI’s education experts.

UPSI has been running the Orang Asli Integrated Project under the EmpowerNCER Akademik @Perak since 2020.

Happy faces… Ae a/l Bah Kumar (left) and Bideniel Airis a/l Bidona are among the Orang Asli who benefit from the programme

“We have been given the responsibility to carry on with the project this year so that the effort to boost the academic achievements of Orang Asli children will see continuity and not be disrupted.

In 2022, 900 Orang Asli students from 15 schools in Muallim, Batang Padang, Kampar, Hulu Perak, Kinta and Kuala Kangsar took part in the EmpowerNCER Akademik@Perak programme that not only helps improve them academically but also their outlook as well as giving them exposure to the world outside their sphere of life,” he said.

Apart from UPSI and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), the Education Ministry (MoE) collaborated with government agencies especially the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA), local tertiary education institutes, non-governmental organisations, community leaders and parents for the project.