up temporary work two months previously—precisely to earn some cash to
send his two children to school (another is in primary school nearer to the
village). The father sadly noted that once his job ends, she will have to end
her schooling as well.
Contrast in the Pedagogy and Culture
The national system of education is one where the government, the teachers,
and in the case of the Orang Asli, the JHEOA, determine the nature, content
and administration of the school system. In some schools, the parents play
a role as well. And for the most part, the responsibility of educating the
students are tasked to the teachers.
This is in contrast to the traditional Orang Asli system where the learning
process and method is multi-faceted and holistic. Through their indigenous
language, a child is taught to be polite, considerate and amicable. Through
their arts and crafts, the child learns that with creativity and effort, unlimited
utility can be gained. Through songs and rituals, it reminds the child of
the other world. And through its legends and folklore, it instills pride and
identity in being a member of the community. There is no fixed curriculum or
syllabus, nor timetable for learning. Learning is treated merely as a process
to be a good Semai; not to compete in the award of a certificate.
The village is the schoolhouse, and the teachers are the child’s parents,
siblings, uncles, aunties, grandparents, cousins, and neighbours. From the
elders, the Orang Asli child learns about the riches of the environment, and
how it will forever protect them as long they reciprocate the relationship.
The usefulness of the products of the forest—for fuel, medicines, food,
building materials, crafts, and for peace of mind—are continually shown to
the child. The child itself is encouraged to use the forest as its playground.
That the forest is a living entity, with a soul and spirituality of its own is
also imparted to the child. Remove this dominion and you remove the very
basis of the fabric of Semai society. The child believes in all this because the
parents themselves believe in it.
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