18/08/2025

MONDAY | AUG 18, 2025

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Call for context in student dropout data

brought in RM3.6 billion, catering to both domestic and international markets. “Musang King durian generated RM2.42 billion, strengthening its position as a global brand, while fresh milk output reached 9.05 million litres valued at RM47.25 million, making Pahang the country’s top producer.” He added that Pahang is driving the high-value livestock industry, such as wagyu cattle, which generates economic returns and places the state on the map as a producer of premium livestock in the country. – Bernama Talk on bullying educates students about dangers, laws government’s commitment to tackling bullying has been translated into action through a pocket talk session titled ‘Buli’ (Bullying), held as part of the Perlis Connect programme at Padang Besar Street yesterday. The session, conducted by Inspector Harris Md Noor, senior investigating officer of the Padang Besar district police headquarters, covered the definition of bullying, its various forms, the root causes of such behaviour and the legal provisions related to the offence. Students from several institutions of higher learning who attended said the programme provided them with greater awareness of behaviours that could lead to bullying and how to address them. Nurul Syafiqah Narul Hisam, 19, a student doing her diploma in manufacturing engineering at Universiti Malaysia Perlis, said the talk deepened her understanding of bullying and made her more alert to such acts among her peers. “This session gave me exposure to the dangers of bullying. I will be more aware now and if I detect bullying elements, I know the appropriate actions to take. “I can report it to the Student Representative Council for further action and if it is a serious case, it can be reported directly to the police.” Another participant, Muhamad Haziq Ziqrie Mohamad Aziz, 18, who is doing his foundation in management studies at Universiti Utara Malaysia Sintok, Kedah, said the talk not only informed him about the punishments for bullying but also served as a reminder for youths to stay away from such behaviour. “What I learned is that we should avoid jealousy or inciting our peers to bully those who are weaker. My hope is for young people to be free from bullying and gangster-like behaviour, as it has a lasting impact on victims.” Perlis Connect, a one-day programme organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with Bernama, was officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail. Also present were Perlis State Assembly Speaker Rus’sele Eizan, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, MCMC Commissioner Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nurul Afida Kamaludin, MCMC managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. The programme also featured sessions on safe internet use and international roaming to avoid extra charges in border areas, as well as a platform for entrepreneurs to promote local products through the Perlis National Information Dissemination Centre, which is a one-stop hub serving the community. – Bernama PADANG BESAR: The

school safety. Speaking to theSun on condition of anonymity, a seasoned secondary school teacher in Kelantan said she has witnessed the personal struggles that push students out of school. “There are reasons why some students drop out of school. Broken family structures, financial problems and learning difficulties are among the problems.” She recalled one pupil who could not read or write and another whose father was in prison while her unemployed mother was not well. The student’s elder sister had already left school and the younger siblings did not attend school regularly. Although the teacher believes dropout cases are rising nationwide, she said her school has tried to stem the trend through home visits, parent meetings and fundraising to help pupils continue their studies. She suggested expanding vocational classes under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme to support students who struggle academically. In Sarawak, a secondary school teacher, who also did not want to be named, said rural settings bring unique challenges. She teaches mostly B40 families, including many Iban and less fortunate Chinese households from nearby villages.

“The rural environment has allowed me to see both the strengths of our close-knit community and the challenges our students face in staying in school.” She described ‘silent symptoms’ of disengagement long before students leave, such as frequent absenteeism, sudden academic decline, withdrawal from classmates and loss of interest in lessons. “Sometimes they are present physically but already disengaged mentally, much like ‘silent resignation’ in a workplace,” she said adding that a student had once confided in her that he wanted to leave school to work and support his family. She said financial hardship, caregiving responsibilities, poor academic performance, early marriage and a lack of belief in the value of education were among the main reasons students dropped out. The teacher urged the government to widen financial aid to cover transport and daily expenses, assign more counsellors to rural schools and provide clearer vocational pathways. Reportedly, the Education Ministry in Dewan Rakyat last week confirmed that 27,122 students dropped out of public primary and secondary schools nationwide. The figure comprised 1,496 at the primary level and 25,626 at the secondary level.

o Educationists say socioeconomic challenges, rural barriers and academic struggles among factors behind numbers

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Over 27,000 students were reported to have left public schools nationwide last year, a statistic that has drawn concern it may unfairly reflect on teachers and schools if released without context. National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon warned that the way such data is presented could distort public perception. He said statistics should be released with context, not in isolation. “Looking at the facts, it seems that schools have failed to become effective educational institutions, with 27,000 students dropping out of school. “This is not fair to teachers, schools and the education system, because the numbers should be tied to the cause and to parents.” Fouzi said teachers felt demoralised when dropout figures were published without clarification. “If such data is presented, teachers will definitely feel hurt and disappointed as if they are to blame.” Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim echoed the call for transparency, warning that raw totals could mislead the public into thinking schools are failing. She said authorities should define what “dropout” means and provide breakdowns by age, region and socioeconomic group, together with explanations of contributing factors such as poverty, mobility or curriculum relevance. Azimah added that failing to distinguish transfers to private or religious schools from genuine dropouts risks inflating the problem. “If the statistics lump together students who leave government schools with those who leave schooling entirely, it inflates ‘dropout’ numbers in a misleading way,” she said, stressing that different exit routes require different responses. She urged a broader view of education outcomes, saying that families should monitor attendance and support learning at home. She also said communities can provide mentoring or financial help and ministries must address barriers such as transport, nutrition and

Azimah said authorities should define what dropout means and provide breakdowns by age, region and socioeconomic groups. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Pahang first state to introduce prebiotic rice TEMERLOH: Pahang has become the first state in Malaysia to produce prebiotic rice, marketed under the brand name Beras Pahang.

told reporters after opening the Mini Maha Pahang 2025 at Dataran Temerloh yesterday. Cultivated in the Ganchong padi fields in Pekan, the rice is said to be tastier, more fragrant and softer, while its prebiotic content supports digestion and overall bowel health. At the event, Beras Pahang was offered at RM8 per kg. Commenting on the inaugural Mini Maha Pahang, Wan Rosdy said it will be held at different locations each year following an overwhelming response, with over 80,000

visitors recorded on Saturday. Meanwhile, citing the Malaysian Agriculture Census interim report released by the Statistics Department, Wan Rosdy said Pahang has proven its capability as the country’s second largest contributor to the agriculture sector after Johor, with sales worth RM25.12 billion. Of that amount, he said 88% came from the crop subsector, proving Pahang’s fertile land and the hardworking spirit of its people. “Palm oil contributed RM14.18 billion, while vegetable production in Cameron Highlands

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the rice differs from other local varieties as it offers multiple benefits. “Beras Pahang is unique. It is a prebiotic rice, low in sugar and suitable for those with diabetes. “It has already entered the market in limited quantities. For now, we are prioritising sales in Pahang before distribution in other states,” he