RYTHM Foundation and Malaysia’s Teacher Education Institute for Special Education (IPGKIK) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to enhance inclusive education for Orang Asli (indigenous), displaced, and differently-abled students in Malaysia.
This agreement brings the Foundation and IPGKIK closer to bridging the “learning loss” gap and improving the education standards among these often overlooked groups of students. In addition, the MoU represents the Foundation and IPGKIK’s keenness to establish a long-term association in future inclusive education-related collaborations.
The Head of RYTHM, Santhi Periasamy, and IPGKIK Director, Dr Faridah Yakob, signed the LOI earlier this month.
The pre-eminent IPGKIK offers diploma and degree programmes specific to primary education in Special Education Needs (SEN), music, visual arts, Islamic education, physical education, Malay studies, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
The LOI formalises the Foundation and IPGKIK’s commitment to share expertise and resources in numerous areas, including developing specific educational programmes for the beneficiaries and formulating exchange and volunteering programmes.
IPGKIK is also receptive to sharing its educational modules in SEN, inclusive education, arts, and sports to provide students with better academic growth and opportunities.
A New Era of Partnership
“This is our first step with RYTHM, but we hope our collaboration creates an extensive network for us to work together. Although we are small, this institute’s effect and impacts are far-reaching,” Dr Faridah said.
“We do not focus on any one tier, but we aim to be an organisation that promotes inclusive education because it encompasses the lack or loss of education for all. So, where learning loss is critical in any community, we can assist.
“Those outside the special education needs sphere also need the same access to inclusive education. Therefore, these modules are, for example, customisable to educate Orang Asli children just as they are for other communities and needs,” Dr Faridah explained.
The LOI signifies a new era and the beginning of a journey with IPGKIK to explore the value of inclusivity in education, Santhi said.
“RYTHM works with numerous partners worldwide, and embarking on what will be an exciting journey with a public institution for us is progressive. In addition, we are excited to work with IPGKIK because it represents the foundation of education and teaching methods,” Santhi added.
A New Era of Partnership
The LOI also represents the Foundation and IPGKIK’s keenness to establish a long-term association in future inclusive education-related collaborations.
“This is our first step with RYTHM, but we hope our collaboration creates an extensive network for us to work together. Although we are small, this institute’s effect and impacts are far-reaching,” Dr Faridah said.
Within its SEN courses, the institute trains educators to teach students with hearing and vision loss music education, physical health, and visual arts.
“We do not focus on any one tier, but we aim to be an organisation that promotes inclusive education because it encompasses the lack or loss of education for all. So, where learning loss is critical in any community, we can assist.
“Those outside the special education needs sphere also need the same access to inclusive education. Therefore, these modules are customisable to educate the Orang Asli just as they are for other communities and needs,” Dr Faridah explained.
Creating Synergy with Stakeholders
Both organisations also expect to delve into research and co-presenting findings at relevant forums and symposiums.
To that end, IPGKIK will also play a significant role in an upcoming convention by RYTHM to highlight the issues and challenges faced by the Orang Asli communities.
The ‘Indigenous Communities in Malaysia: Reframing the National Sustainability Initiative’ Convention in Kuala Lumpur from June 20 to 22 is being co-organised by RYTHM, the social impact initiative of the QI Group, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Academicians and experts from IPGKIK and several other public institutions, including Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and IPGKIK, have confirmed their participation.
The conference will present various resolutions for improving and developing the lives and livelihoods of the Orang Asli in aspects like essential facilities and amenities, gaining economic independence, attaining education, receiving better access to healthcare, and addressing statelessness.
Santhi noted, “The concept of inclusive education has evolved, an area the symposium will explore deeply. Inclusivity is not just about incorporating neurodiverse children into mainstream schools but also includes bringing children with other constraints into the mainstream education system, such as the indigenous and those imprisoned and hospitalised.”
Post-convention, Santhi and Dr Faridah expressed their anticipation for creating synergy with the convention’s other stakeholders.
“We can’t solve all of the world’s problems, but we can achieve much more when we work together and stand united,” Santhi added.
