A Tribe’s Rough Ride to Recognition
RYTHM Head Santhi Periasamy described Sekulah Bateq’s inauguration as a momentous occasion for the Foundation. “Today marks the beginning of a special connection between Kampung Kuala Atok and RYTHM. With Sekulah Bateq, we have adopted this village under our Community Adoption Programme, the second such initiative after our recent undertaking in the East Malaysian state of Sabah,” she said in her speech. Also read: Community Adoption Programme in Sabah Leads Off with Academic, Youth Empowerment Facets “When ECOMY approached us about creating a school for the Bateq community, we jumped at the opportunity to work with the society to make the programme a reality.“Sekulah Bateq reflects our deep conviction that education is essential in transforming communities and that every child deserves a fair chance to gain knowledge and unearth their potential,” Santhi noted.The makeshift school aims to address the education gaps in the community through a curated programme replicable for other local indigenous tribes in the future. The Bateq, like most Orang Asli communities, have faced many barriers to education. These range from poor location access, internet connectivity and infrastructure to a lack of financial resources, education materials, and identification documentation that prevents their enrolment in national schools. Sekulah Bateq seeks to help overcome some of these hurdles with classes for 30 preschoolers and lower primary pupils. Several mainstream teachers with knowledge of Orang Asli culture – including one of Orang Asli descent – will conduct the classes.
A Community Pursuing Positive Social Change
While perceptions of the Orang Asli have painted them as helpless, nomadic, and even resistant to change, the Bateq of Kampung Kuala Atok has actively sought community support and eagerly welcomed the help. The village’s Tok Batin (head), Hussin Dayak, has been at the fore of wanting a school for his tribe’s children and positive social change for the isolated community he leads. “Educating our children increases the chances of our people securing much-needed jobs outside our village. Therefore, I asked for a school in our village in the hopes of improving our future,” he said.“Before this, there was no opportunity to send our children to school. Finally, they will receive a proper education for the first time, and I would like to thank your organisations for the willingness to educate our children.”Hussin also made an impassioned appeal for assistance in securing official documentation for the villagers. “Most of my people do not have birth certificates or other legal identification. I would like them to get documentation to improve their lives. With birth certificates, we could qualify for financial aid and other government support,” he explained. The request for educational assistance by Hussin was one ECOMY could not refuse, its founder and president, Andrew Sebastian, said. “Without access to proper education, the Bateq and many other indigenous groups would stay trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty and struggle to be self-sustainable. “Some of the Orang Asli we have worked with survive on a lowly RM300 (US$68) a month, making them the hardcore poor of the nation. So, we must start doing something to help them, especially when they take the initiative to seek growth and development,” Andrew added.