RESEARCHERS HELP THE ORANG ASLI CHILDREN MASTER MATHEMATICS
UUM ONLINE: The Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM) always strives to ensure that the quality of education for Orang Asli students does not lag behind that of other students. This effort involves a strategy to improve the achievement of Orang Asli students in the subject of mathematics.
In comparison to other students, Orang Asli students are later exposed to mastery of the Malay language because they speak more in the tribe's language, which causes some of them to be shy to socialise and interact with outsiders.
Recognizing this, a group of researchers from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) comprising Dr S. Kanageswari Suppiah Shanmugam, Dr Yus'aiman Jusoh @ Yusoff, Prof. Dr Arsaythamby Veloo, Assoc. Prof. Dr Ruzlan Md Ali and Prof. Dr Rosna Awang Hashim produced a book entitled Primary School Education for Orang Asli Students: Challenges and Achievements published by UUM Press.
According to the lead researcher, Dr S. Kanageswari, the book is the result of a Ministry of Higher Education Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) study aimed at researching mathematics testing, specifically test accommodations for Orang Asli students, particularly the Temiar tribe.
"This study looks at the appropriateness of mathematics tests for Orang Asli students, as well as the role of using their mother tongue, Temiar, in learning and teaching mathematics."
"It involves the assessment of mathematics among teachers and students to facilitate students' understanding of mathematics concepts, particularly the use of mathematical terms," she explained.
Commenting further, Prof. Dr Arsaythamby went on to say that the idea for this book came about after they conducted a study and discovered that simply reporting the findings of the study was insufficient to explain the situation faced by Orang Asli students.
Various parties will be exposed to more information about Orang Asli education through books.
He went on to say that there were not many books that shed light on current educational issues affecting Orang Asli students. This was due to the Orang Asli students' lack of reading and comprehension skills in the Malay language.
For the benefit of Orang Asli education in Malaysia, this research group suggested that a book be published.
Dr Yus’aiman discovered that the use of language plays an important role in improving Orang Asli students' mastery of mathematics.
"In this context, a synergy between the Temiar language, which is spoken by Orang Asli students, and the Malay language as a medium of learning and teaching mathematics in schools is required."
"As a result, the context of using the Temiar and Malay languages will enable them to master mathematics skills, particularly among Year 1 to Year 3 students, who are the focus of our research," he said.
This book confirms that an accurate pedagogy that is tailored to the lifestyle and learning style of Orang Asli students, particularly those in the early stages of primary school, is critical in the effort to improve their mathematical mastery.
As a result, this book includes a trilingual mathematics glossary to aid in the learning and teaching of mathematics. This book's glossary contains mathematical terms (words) in three languages namely Malay, English, and Temiar.