Voices from the Ground: Towards Strength-Based and Culturally Responsive Education for Orang Asli Children A participatory research initiative aimed at guiding interventions to address the educational challenges faced by the Orang Asli, the Indigenous communities of Peninsular Malaysia. This project seeks to amplify the voices of Orang Asli communities, teachers, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to inform more inclusive and effective educational policies and practices. Findings:

• There is a strong need for building trust between Orang Asli parents, schools, and JAKOA. Parents expressed a desire for deeper engagement with teachers, while teachers highlighted the challenges of communicating with parents due to geographical and cultural barriers. Both groups emphasized the importance of JAKOA playing a more active role in bridging these gaps.
• The research also emphasized the value of celebrating strengths of Orang Asli students, showcasing their talents and aspirations particularly in areas like carpentry, agriculture, and the arts. Teachers and parents advocated for a more skill-based, experiential learning approach that integrates Orang Asli culture and knowledge into the curriculum.
• Underlying challenges significantly impact Orang Asli students’ educational outcomes. These include poverty, lack of access to clean water, and social exclusion. Teachers noted the need for greater cultural understanding and sensitivity, while parents highlighted the economic pressures that force children to leave school early.

Together, these insights offer a powerful call to action for a more inclusive, culturally grounded, and community-led approach to Orang Asli education. By centering Orang Asli voices and advocating for meaningful collaboration, the path toward equitable and sustainable educational outcomes becomes clearer.