Chapter 1 - Report of the Education and Public Relations Group (iii) Food supplements The JAKOA provides lunch for children who do not stay in the hostels, but the quality is not satisfactory. The Commission was informed that the children are usually given canned foods such as sardine or chicken, with rice or noodles. Fruit is occasionally provided to supplement their diet. (iv) MOE initiatives to raise standards A special training programme was launched in 2011 at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Teacher Training College, Kuala Lipis, to train candidates from the Orang Asli community to become teachers. Once they become certified teachers, they are to be placed at Orang Asli schools. In addition, Institut Aminudin Baki in Genting Highland has regularly conducted seminars and conferences for principals of such schools to build skills in management of schools and the curriculum. These programmes are excellent examples of the MOE’s initiatives to uplift the standard and quality of education. Issues concerning Orang Asli Schools and Sekolah Agama Rakyat were reported in the Commission’s Annual Report but the relevant agencies have yet to act on almost all of these. (d) Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR) To sensitise the SAR community to human rights, the Commission conducted three seminars for teachers. With the collaboration of the State Islamic authorities, seminars were held for 168 religious teachers and administrators from government-aided schools in Pahang and Kedah. They were given exposure to principles of UN human rights treaties, with emphasis on the rights of children. During periodic visits to the SAR, the Commission has noted aspects of administration and teaching that require serious attention. The issues were first reported in the Commission’s Annual Report 2012, but the relevant agencies have yet to act on almost all of these. Hence, these are reiterated here in the hope that rectification will lead to quality education for the children, as enshrined in the CRC and Federal Constitution. (i) School infrastructure and facilities Several school visited such as SMK Agama Darul Naim, SMA AI Ittifaqiayah in Pahang and Madrasah Tarbiah Islamiah and SMA Darul Ta’alim in Perak were using old desks and chair, white boards, cupboards and computers obtained from government-aided schools. Some desks and chairs were not of the same height, forcing students to sit on low chairs and at high desks. The suitability and adequacy of classrooms, furniture, teaching aids, libraries, science laboratories, living skills equipment, computers and canteen services all remain matters for concern. Due to the lack of funds, most schools do not provide a proper area in which teachers can work and interact. The office is not equipped with standard equipment like computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopiers or suitable furniture. The pay scheme for teachers 22