BARAM, Oct 12: The Penan community continues to grapple with illiteracy, but there is renewed hope through collaborative efforts.
Local authorities, educators, and organisations are addressing the root causes of illiteracy to create a more equitable future while preserving cultural heritage.
Although progress has been made, a significant number of adults in Baram still face literacy-related barriers, limiting their access to opportunities and improved living conditions.
The ‘Kelas Dewasa Ibu Bapa Orang Asli Dan Penan’ (KEDAP) program, initiated this year in Long Jenalong, Baram, has set forth to address the issue of illiteracy among Penan parents who did not have access to formal education, with its primary goal is to significantly reduce the illiteracy rate in this community.
Under the SEDIDIK initiative, the programme provides these parents with the opportunity to gain fundamental knowledge that can improve their lives and better support their children’s education.
In addition to literacy skills, the programme offers three phases covering essential self-development topics such as personal hygiene, nutrition, health education, and vital life skills.
“I have always wanted to study, however, my father did not have the means to support my siblings and I.
“I hope that through KEDAP programme, I can soon read and write.
“I do not want my children to be like me, I never had the chance to go to school and I work day and night,” said Rinai Din Angun, a 53-year-old resident of Long Latik, Baram who travel to Long Jenalong Village on a weekly basis to attend KEDAP classes.
The programme not only improves the parents’ education but also equips them with basic knowledge to support their children’s education, creating a positive cycle of educational progress.
However, motivating adults to return to education is challenging, as many feel ashamed of their literacy limitations, making the prospect of going back to school even more daunting.
Betty Ugat, a 39-year-old resident of Long Jenalong said some of the villagers are too ashamed to join the classes due to their advanced age.
“However, by joining the classes, my only hope is that one day, I will be able to teach my grandchildren when they asked me to help them with their homework.
“It is too late for me to help my children but I am determined to learn for my grandchildren. Education is the only way forward for all of us if we intend to develop at par with the rest of the other communities in this globalised world,” Betty pointed out.
It is worth noting that the Penans understand the significance of formal education for the progress and well-being of their community, despite being faced with significant obstacle due to the lack of schools in close proximity to their villages.
Long Jenalong village chief Ugat Kong, disclosed that the village’s remoteness and limited infrastructure pose substantial barriers to education.
“The absence of proper roads and transportation options isolates the community, making it arduous for our children to reach schools.
“With the nearest school located in another village, children in Long Jenalong have to travel on a daily basis via road and boats which is quite costly hence, many parents are unable to afford it resulting in a high rate of school dropouts.
“It was a relief to finally have an establishment we can call our own for the children and adults to get access to education,” he said when met by reporters at Tadika SEDIDIK Long Jenalong.
Penan individuals, both young and old, are defying stereotypes and seizing new opportunities, demonstrating that with the right support, they can unlock numerous possibilities.
The partnership between Petronas and the state government has successfully enhanced the community’s access to higher education and a wider array of professions. This expansion of opportunities includes increased prospects for scholarships and international job opportunities, paving the way for a promising future for the Penan community. – TVS
