Poverty can affect students’ academic performance
poverty is spreading in Kuala Lumpur.
Schools are facing great challenges to improve students’ low academic performances. This is mainly because most of the students in that category are from low-income families. Some of them have to work after school to help their parents. As a result, the students feel tired at school and cannot focus on their studies.
I recently talked to a school counsellor, who has been tackling issues concerning students for the past 19 years. She says the problems among poor students in urban schools range from drug addiction and family problems to bullying and depression. A high number of truancy and absenteeism is from this group.
Most of the students who work after school are in Forms 4 and 5. They work in shopping malls and eateries on weekends. Some even have to work during school hours. Their parents are aware of this, but they cannot do anything since every bit of money is a great help.
The main cause of drug addiction among the young in urban poor areas is peer pressure. The living environment of the students is not conducive. Students meet and interact with all types of people in their working environment, and this may influence their behaviour.
In schools, teachers try to help needy students by providing assistance. One of the initiatives is food assistance during school hours. Students have no reason not to come to school because if they don’t, they will miss out on the free food. However, according to the counsellor, some upper-level secondary school students feel embarrassed to help themselves to the food. So, schools need to think of alternatives, such as distributing food coupons.
There are other assistance available in schools, like books, uniforms, shoes and allowances. These are the kind of assistance that can motivate students to focus on learning. Parents, too, should play a role in encouraging their children to concentrate on their studies.
The government needs to think of other ways to help students from poor families to strive in schools. Reducing poverty should be among the main agenda for sustainable development in the country. Identify the poor urban areas, do a survey, review the effectiveness of programmes and design the best policies to tackle urban poverty.
AHMAD FAIZUDDIN
Kulliyyah of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur