Iskul: Empowering stateless youth through education

Under the vast blue skies off the coast of Semporna, the children of Omadal Island light up as their teachers enter the classroom facilitated by Iskul.

“Selamat pagi, Cikgu,” they greet.

“Selamat pagi, murid-murid,” the teacher replies.

Since 2015, Iskul has been the hope for the Bajau community, empowering stateless youth with the gift of education.

Enhancing education and leadership

Iskul Sama diLaut Omadal, known as Iskul, has significantly impacted the Bajau Laut community, enhancing academic achievement and leadership potential.

The Bajau, or sea nomads, inhabit Omadal Island, just an hour’s boat ride from Bum Bum Island.

“Starting with a foundation in basic literacy skills in Bahasa Malaysia and Mathematics, we also support our students’ development with a wide range of programmes for a wholesome and holistic education in a safe and healthy environment,” said Chuah Ee Chia, chairperson and co-founder of Iskul.

Iskul’s informal school, now a community centre, offers five levels of classes.

Level 1 is for beginners, taught by graduates of Iskul, known as Mastal Arikik (MA), or ‘Little Teachers’ in the Bajau Laut language.

Bilkuin and Enidah, former students, now serve as MAs. Khairul Atim, Iskul’s co-founder, started as a teacher at 14 and now coordinates field activities, meals, and documentation.

Morning classes, comprising Levels 2 to 4, use modules created by Jefry Musa and are taught by full-time teachers Ayu and the MAs.

Level 5 focuses on vocational training, where students engage in projects like a floating trash trap.

“They learn skills that help in generating alternative income such as weaving and digital literacy,” said Ee Chia, noting that funding is still needed for these initiatives.

Iskul supporting the community beyond education

Iskul’s mission extends beyond education, addressing healthcare and environmental needs within the Bajau Laut community.

“We provide nutritious meals for students, supplements for pregnant and nursing mothers, and run personal hygiene and health campaigns,” said Ee Chia.

The Community Health Centre offers basic first aid and medications, led by MA Shima.

Environmental projects, supervised by Rahmat Mosa, include the Water Project and Waste Management Project.

In collaboration with Engineers Without Borders Malaysia (EWBM) between 2021 and 2022, Iskul improved water access for stateless households on Omadal Island.

The project involved collecting and filtering rainwater, which was then stored in 100-litre tanks. “Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the engineers couldn’t travel to Omadal.

Instead, we taught our students to build the water filtration system, boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem,” Ee Chia explained.

The work of Iskul is ever-evolving, heavily reliant on public and organisational funding.

As a stateless community, the Bajau Laut people lack access to government-provided amenities such as housing, education, healthcare, and voting rights.

“We hope that one day, from among Omadal’s Bajau Laut community, there will emerge a leader who will be change-makers in their community so that they too will have access and equal rights to the amenities and facilities provided by the government,” said Ee Chia.

“For now, we will continue to support them in whatever way we can, and with the public’s help, we hope to do even more.”

Despite the recent home demolitions in Semporna, displacing at least 500 Bajau Laut people, the community on Omadal Island remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution.

The laughter and giggles of Iskul’s students echo from their stilt homes, a testament to their resilience and hope.

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