Selvasegaram (first from left) and Zulaikha (centre) with Orang Asal pre-school teachers at the launch.

PETALING JAYA: OSK Foundation and Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-kanak Malaysia (SUKA Society) have launched the Mother Tongue Syllabus, a set of curriculum that preserves and promotes the Semai, Jakun and Temiar languages and cultures in Malaysia. 

The Mother Tongue Syllabus was developed to assist Orang Asal pre-school teachers in educating indigenous children. A milestone project as SUKA Society celebrates 10 years of providing access to education in Indigenous communities throughout Malaysia, it was made possible by OSK Foundation’s sponsorship and input in the development and printing of the syllabus. 

OSK Foundation chief executive officer Cheryl Ong said the group believes that education is a powerful agent of transformation. 

“As we recently celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9th August, we are proud to have the opportunity to help bring accessibility of the various Orang Asal languages to the Malaysian community as a way to bring awareness to, and preserve their rich cultural heritage and identity,” she said.

SUKA Society executive director and founder Anderson Selvasegaram said he hopes to inculcate a sense of identity in Orang Asal young children. 

“We believe that every child has the right to know and love their Mother Tongue, culture and tradition. Through this syllabus, we hope to create a strong sense of identity in these young children, and to help them build resilience and confidence in themselves from a young age,” he said. 

Also present was OSK Foundation manager Zulaikha Zulkifli.

The Mother Tongue Syllabus comprises six comprehensive and age-appropriate themes which are Diri Saya (About Me), Keluarga Saya (My Family), Pekerjaan (Occupation), Kenderaan (Transportation), Haiwan (Animals) and Bunga (Flowers). The syllabus also includes teaching tools such as lesson plans, worksheets, arts and crafts activities, songs, storybooks and thematic artwork.

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