Introduction:

The problem of high dropout rate among Orang Asli students is a serious one. Between 2000 to 2008, on average about 36 percent of Orang Asli student drop out between year six and form one. In 2008 alone, the dropout rate was 39.1 percent. Similarly, the dropout rate on secondary schools (form one to form five) was between 40 to 50 percent over the same 2000 to 2008 period. Government officials have had a tendency to blame the Orang Asli parents and their children’s lack of interest in education. However, according to the Orang Asli leaders, the problem lies instead in the disparity of the quality of education available to the Orang Asli children and that the educational environment does not take Orang Asli culture and needs into account. 

Regional Challenges: 

There seems to be a disjuncture between the community's needs and the authority's delivery with regards to Orang Asli education. What type of learning environment would inspire and serve the needs of the Orang Asli? How do we design a better education delivery and curriculum for the Orang Aslii community?

This project utilizes the medium of digital storytelling to provide an avenue for the Orang Asli children and youth to voice their experience, needs and aspirations with regards to their schooling experiences, needs and aspirations with regards to their schooling experience. What are their experiences going to school? What would be their ideas of an ideal of an ideal school? What are their dreams and hopes? How do they relate to their traditional culture? Who are their mentors in the community and in school? The storytelling process is designed to empower the students in voicing their opinions and needs and allow for their voices to be heard.

Objectives:   

1. To understand the Orang Asli students’ aspirations, needs and interest through the medium of digital storytelling

2. To empower the Orang Asli students by providing space for their voices to be heard

3. To create awareness to the public and relevant stakeholder (eg. Policy makers, teachers, curriculum designers, parents) of the Orang Asli students’ aspiration, needs and interest

4. To provide recommendations on how to improve the education experience for the Orang Asli based on students’ stories. 

Knowledge transferred:

Through an interplay of an audio recording device, still photography, and a digital interface, the edited audio and video digital stories will be presented as photo essays, participatory mapping project and multimedia experiment pieces. The final product is a short film, which has been produced and edited by the narrator. The digital interface will include screenings in the community and outside and distributing audio or visual production online and on CDs. 

Impact of project:

The digital storytelling process allows a reflective space that not many people are given for. Beyond that, the act of telling one’s story can be healing and empowering due to the feeling to be actively listened. The narratives will also raise awareness of the needs and the experiences of the orang Asli thereby promoting a better understanding of the community. Moreover, the stories and experiences will be assessed and analysed to provide recommendations to the relevant stakeholders to provide better education for the Orang Asli community.