Nation needs social workers to deal with increasing dropouts, gangsterism, says PSM

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia is in need of social workers to curb increasing social problems faced by the youths from being a school dropouts to becoming criminals.

This comes as the education ministry reports higher number of schools dropouts during Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia Youth Secretary, Gandipan Nantha Gopalan said this will ensure youths get the assistance needed in battling peer pressure, mental health issues and to guide them to lead a healthier life with proper education and higher income.

"The government's job guarantee scheme can solve many issues to push for 100 percent employment for youths with meaningful jobs. "

"This way, we can stop the reasons people are being pushed into the gangsterism or dropping out of school," he told Sinar Daily.

Last December, Putrajaya said a total of 21,316 students did not complete their education and dropped out of schools during March 2020 to July 2021.

Last year, the "Family on Edge" survey jointly commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) found that the number of students from many of Klang Valley’s poor communities returning to the classroom is dropping at an alarming rate as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak’s disruption of school.

Among the findings of the study was that some of the children had become demotivated or lost interest in continuing school, while some families had difficulties paying tuition fees and transportation fees or giving pocket money.

The survey also found that eight out of ten students come from households with no computers or laptops, while nine of ten only had smartphones as their learning devices.

Gandipan added the nation failed in terms of the development of the country due to capitalism as there is no benchmark on how working adults should live in a dignified manner.

"This narrative should change, development is not only about twin towers and high-rise buildings. It includes education and health," he said.

Even though Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is the way to go to boost skills among youths and to venture into their own businesses but he said it is still seen as a non-glamorous skill as there is a lack of focus on this sector.

To encourage youths to take part in the nation's TVET programme, PSM will propose the government do more in creating jobs and invest in industries that are in need of TVET skilled workers.