Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is unequal for rural, indigenous girls - Fadhlina
She said the government had introduced the K9 and K11 schooling approaches to help children in remote communities continue their education from primary to secondary levels.
KUALA LUMPUR - Talent is everywhere, but opportunities remain unequal, particularly for girls from rural and indigenous communities who continue to face barriers to education and access to technology, says Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.
She said Malaysia had seen Orang Asli children overcome significant challenges to enter fully residential schools, while young indigenous women had also succeeded in pursuing teacher education.
However, some children still face difficulties accessing basic necessities, including electricity and clean water, while poverty and period poverty remain obstacles to their education.
“I believe Malaysia’s experience teaches us one important lesson. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” she said at the Women Economic Forum 2026 held at the International Youth Centre, here, today.
Fadhlina said the challenges highlighted the need to ensure children had access to education and digital learning opportunities, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shapes education and employment.
“We are discussing artificial intelligence and the digital future. Yet, some children are still struggling with the most basic conditions needed for it,” she said.
She said the government had introduced the K9 and K11 schooling approaches to help children in remote communities continue their education from primary to secondary levels.
These initiatives aim to bring education closer to underserved communities and help children overcome geographical barriers that could prevent them from completing their schooling.
Fadhlina stressed that access to education must be treated as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
“Education is a birthright for every child. It is not a privilege; it is a human right,” she said.
She added that keeping girls in school was only the first step, as they must also be equipped with the skills and opportunities to benefit from technological advancements.
This includes providing meaningful digital learning opportunities, equipping teachers with the necessary skills and ensuring girls in rural communities are not left behind as AI transforms the workplace.
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