BY: NADIA HASSAN

Various individuals, personalities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are making a joint call to the Malaysian government to set up proper schools and educational facilities for the children of refugees.

These calls are gaining momentum not only on the local front but by the international community as Malaysia is now swamped by refugees from Syria, Palestine, Myanmar and other parts of the world.

According to sources familiar with refugee education, most schools for them are run illegally and in a clandestine manner, similar to underworld activities, and this is a crying shame as access to education should be a basic human right for everyone.

There are a few schools being operated for refugees that are sanctioned by the education ministry but they are costly and most refugees are scraping the bottom of the barrel and can’t afford these schools.

This situation has not changed and the government must no longer disregard it as it has become a worry and source of concern and therefore there must be a task force formed by the ministry of education to study the matter.

All those concerned and connected with this issue must be viewed as stakeholders and their feedback, thoughts, ideas and suggestions must be given consideration that the plight of refugee children seeking an education might be realised.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher