LunchTalk #33 on Educational Access for Indonesian Migrant Workers

The Faculty of Education at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) held its 33rd LunchTalk on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, featuring M. Arif Rahman Hakim, PhD, a scholar in residence from UIN Fatmawati Sukarno Bengkulu, with the topic “The Urgency of Educational Access for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia: Policy Issues and Proposed Solutions.”

Dr. Hakim began by outlining the educational background of Indonesian migrant workers, noting that the majority—about 78%—are junior high school graduates or lower, with half having only completed elementary school. These workers often migrate due to limited job opportunities in their home villages and the prospect of earning higher wages abroad, despite most earning an average salary of MYR 2,000, far below the MYR 5,000 threshold required to bring their families to Malaysia. 

During the talk, Dr. Hakim highlighted the educational programs that have been implemented for these workers. These include formal schools established by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Indonesian Embassy, which operate three schools across Malaysia. Universitas Terbuka, in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy, has also developed undergraduate programs that serve over 1,300 students.  

Furthermore, 17 institutions under the Sanggar Bimbingan Belajar (community learning centers) initiative provide alternative education through Package A and B programs, which are equivalent to elementary and junior high school education. Additionally, short competency courses have been introduced through collaboration between Indonesian community organizations and educational institutions in Malaysia. 

The talk also touched on the role of Indonesian academics and researchers in enhancing access to education. “Scholars have been involved in sending students as volunteer teachers, developing educational modules, and conducting literacy workshops in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy and community organizations,” Dr. Hakim emphasized. 

The LunchTalk series is a flagship initiative of the UIII Faculty of Education, designed to provide an informal yet intellectually stimulating platform for scholars, practitioners, and students to engage in discussions on critical issues in education. Currently a research fellow at the Faculty, Dr. Hakim contributes his expertise in migrant education, bringing global perspectives to the local context while continuing his research on policy interventions for educational advancement.

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