Mukmim’s school for the less fortunate
Sabahan’s ‘Sekolah Alternatif’ provides support, education for the stateless as well
PETALING JAYA: A young graduate is determined to help stateless children obtain formal education after seeing his best friend forgo university due to poverty.
In 2015, Tawau-born Mukmim Nantang, 25, set up Sekolah Alternatif together with 15 other friends to provide various support for disadvantaged children, especially for education.
Today, he has four such schools in Sabah, each with a steady team of volunteer teachers.
“Education is a right for all, including stateless children. They may have no identity but that does not mean their right to education and skills should be denied.
“Education is their only way out. It can also build their personality so they don’t get involved in unhealthy activities,” he said.
Recalling his best friend’s story that inspired him to set up the school for stateless children, Mukmim said he was determined to help as many of them.
“My best friend was a very smart student in the class and did well in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). But he could not afford to further his studies at a university because his family was poor.
“So when I finally had the chance to enter university, I realised that it was not only a place for the smart ones, but also one for those who can afford it and are lucky.
“There are still many smart people out there who are left out of education due to poverty, lack of documents and opportunity,” said the Universiti Malaysia Sabah graduate who is used to seeing how children from a nearby squatter colony in his hometown grew up.
Mukmin said at first, he did not understand why they did not go to school although they were smart.
“That’s why I wanted to help these children. I want to make a difference,” he said.
Sekolah Alternatif can now be found in Tuaran, Teluk Layang, Semporna and Tawau, with a total of 150 students and 30 volunteer teachers dedicated to teaching children between the ages of seven and 16 to read, write and calculate, apart from learning fardu ain (personal religious obligations).
Besides, the children also learn skills, such as sewing, handicrafts, fabric printing, photography, cooking and performing arts.
“With no identity papers, these children can be easily exploited for being illiterate and having no skills.
“Teaching them skills helps with their self worth,” he said, adding that he also periodically invites volunteer doctors to teach them about oral and basic personal hygiene.
Despite the overwhelming demand from the community, Mukmim said he had to limit the student intake due to financial reasons.
“It is not easy running the schools as it requires a high monthly cost.
“The high demand shows that these children want to get an education. I hope our efforts will spur the government and others to help them,” he said. Mukmim added that despite the challenges, he still wants to continue helping as many stateless children as possible, including facilitating more people to come forward to help them.
“It is all worthwhile whenever I see the children being able to read, write and have some life skills.
“God willing, I will keep doing this until the end of my life,” he said.
More about Sekolah Alternatif can be found on Instagram and Facebook.