KUCHING: Undocumented children should not be deprived of their right to education.
It is high time the ministries of education and home affairs make some changes to the system.
Many such children had various issues with their applications for identification documents and citizenship although they were born and raised in Sarawak.
Recently, the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) Rajang Chapter came up with a special form to request that stateless children be able to attend school.
Rajang Sadia chairman Bill Jugah said the idea came following complaints from parents and guardians of children who are not eligible to attend school as they do not have the relevant documents.
When asked if the authority concerned would accept the form, he said he would put pressure on them as no one should be denied the right to education.
“The government should change the education guidelines and requirements so that stateless children can attend school.”
Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS) president Manjeet Kaur Sidhu concurred with Sadia.
“Every child deserves his or her right to education and having citizenship. No one should be deprived,” she said, commenting on the special form.
Manjeet has been working closely with the relevant ministry in helping stateless people in Sarawak speed up their applications for citizenship and to get undocumented children to enter school.
“Relevant authorities should look into this matter seriously and the Home Affairs Ministry should take these matters urgently.”
According to her, many aged 18 and above are not eligible to pursue university studies due to no documentation.
She has been urging the government to work on the documentation of these stateless children.
