Refugee children should be allowed into government schools, says Kok

Kuala Lumpur: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has advocated that the Malaysian government should allow refugee children to attend public schools, with assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and education partners. Kok, speaking during a debate in the Dewan Rakyat today, expressed her support for the UNHCR's proposal outlined in the Committee's Report on Refugee Management in Malaysia.

According to UNHCR data, Malaysia hosts 214,079 registered refugees and asylum seekers, of which approximately 31% (64,224) are children. Kok highlighted that 65% of these refugee children are not receiving formal education, amounting to around 41,745 children. However, she cautioned that the actual number could be significantly higher, as the figure only includes those registered with UNHCR. Kok suggested that the actual number could be two or three times more when considering unregistered refugees.

The parliamentary report recommended that refugees be permitted to enroll in government schools, supported by UNHCR and education partners, to aid their academic transition. Kok also proposed reviewing the regulations and registration standards for Alternative Learning Centres to better accommodate their unique challenges while maintaining quality assurance. She emphasized the importance of education for refugee children, given the significant presence of such individuals in Malaysia.

Kok called for enhancements in the broader refugee management system, including the implementation of the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) and an integrated, transparent mechanism to verify refugees' identities and determine their status. Additionally, she supported the prioritization of completing the DPP process within six months for migrants detained in immigration depots.

Kok questioned the effectiveness of detaining nearly 20,000 people in immigration centers, suggesting it might be a waste of government resources. She also proposed that registered refugees could be employed in sectors facing labor shortages, such as manufacturing and plantations, to contribute to Malaysia's economy.