Social issues of Sarawak secondary school students

National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah reported that Sarawak has the highest number of secondary students who abuse drugs as of October 2018. He added that the most common drug Sarawakian students are addicted to is usually methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.

 

There could be many factors leading to their substance abuse, but research has stated economic status as a contributing factor.

 

According to a basic amenities report in 2016, Sarawak school children reside furthest away from their school compared to those in other states in Malaysia. An obvious assumption could be made that this is because Sarawak has the largest land area.

 

Malaysia, Malaysia Indicator, Sarawak, social issue, drug addiction

 

Besides that, the number of schools could also be a factor behind the issue.

 

Malaysia, Malaysia Indicator, Sarawak, social issue, drug addiction

 

Statistically, Sarawak has the highest amount of primary schools, but the lowest amount of secondary schools. Is it safe to assume there are not enough schools for secondary school aged children?

 

To support the above, Sarawak is primarily faced with the issue of high dropout rates due to poor support systems from both the government and families of students. Many students, especially from remote areas, were forced to work instead of proceeding with their education because of poverty.

 

Moreover, Sarawak’s Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin reports 1,020 dilapidated schools in the state; 371 schools did not have electricity supply and were fully dependent on generator sets, while 428 schools lacked treated water supply.

 

Last year, the Education Ministry has awarded contracts worth RM419.05 million to repair 116 schools. But Sarawak’s Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin said Sarawak needs at least RM5 billion to repair and rebuild the dilapidated schools, and he hopes that the federal government would give more aid.