Stateless Issue in Semporna, Sabah: Impact on the Stateless Children’s Education (Sea Gypsies)

Isu Stateless di Semporna, Sabah: Kesan ke atas Pendidikan Kanak-Kanak Tanpa Negara (Bajau Laut)

Abstract

The study examines the impact of the stateless issue on the education of Bajau Laut children in Semporna, Sabah by focusing its analysis on the status and origin of the stateless people, the impact of statelessness on the education of the Bajau Laut children, and the efforts taken in resolving the issue of the education for the stateless Bajau Laut in Semporna. By using a qualitative method which is case study through in-depth interviews and document analysis as instruments in collecting data, this study finds that the status as stateless have greatly limited their access to basic human rights such as education. The effects of lack of access to education have left these Bajau Laut children illiterate, involve in social problems, exploited in economy, and further backward in social life. There are various efforts made by the non-governmental bodies to provide education to the stateless children such as setting up 'Alternative Schools' and 'Sunday Schools'. However, the failure of the government to resolve the issue of citizenship has resulted these stateless children to continue to drop out from the access to education.