KUALA LUMPUR: To reduce the dropout rate among students in the interior of the country, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will set up 11 more comprehensive special model schools (K9), bringing the total number of K9 schools nationwide to 28.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the ministry’s day-to-day school management department was currently doing preliminary work, including trips to Sabah and Sarawak to identify schools that could be used as K9 schools.

He said that final review work was also being carried out so that all recommendations could be submitted to the top management of the Ministry of Education and the increase in the number of K9 schools could be implemented with the opening of the new school year next year.

“When we talk about the education of Orang Asli and indigenous students, we cannot avoid the issue of school dropouts. To address this issue, the Ministry of Education will increase the number of K9 schools by another 11, bringing the total number of K9 schools to 28.

“The existence of these K9 schools aims to reduce dropout rates by allowing students to stay in the same school from first to third grade, eliminating transfers or transfers after sixth grade,” he said.

He told reporters after presiding over the 2024 National Education Carnival of Orang Asli and Indigenous Students here today.

Wong also announced that Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Betau in Lipis, Pahang has been selected by the Ministry for the MADANI Village Adoption Programme.

This selection will provide the school with various improvements including improved internet facilities via Starlink and tablets for most students to support teaching and learning sessions (PDP).

In addition, the Ministry of Education will improve the supply of clean water and electricity to the new school building, modernise the hall and set up a training workshop for motorcycle repairs.

“This school will be a success story and a model for the Ministry of Education, showing how we ensure the development of rural schools,” he said.

Referring to the Orang Asli and Indigenous Students National Education Carnival 2024, Wong mentioned that the two-day event which kicked off today will provide a platform for students to showcase their talents and achievements and a platform for teachers to share their experiences to improve PDP in rural schools.

“This carnival brought together 185 students from 98 Orang Asli schools in Perak, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor, and 23 indigenous schools from Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.