OSK Foundation has been a cornerstone partner in this initiative, playing a pivotal role in the development and success of the E2T programme. With a focus on sustainable impact, OSK Foundations’s support has enabled the establishment of preschool and community classes and comprehensive teachers’ training. As such, to commemorate a decade of providing access to education in Indigenous communities throughout Malaysia, the Mother Tongue Syllabus project was created.
The Mother Tongue Syllabus aims to provide Orang Asal pre-school teachers with a set curriculum that preserves and promotes the Semai, Jakun and Temiar languages and cultures in Malaysia through high-quality early childhood education materials. This would not have been possible without OSK Foundation’s sponsorship and valuable input in the development and printing of this syllabus, which also underscores its dedication to educational advancement and cultural preservation.

The launch of the Mother Tongue Syllabus took place at Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda in Shah Alam on 17th August 2024. Officiated by Anderson Selvasegaram, Executive Director of SUKA Society and Zulaikha Zulkifli, Manager of OSK Foundation, Zaliha a/p Titoi , Empowered2Teach Programme Facilitator and three Orang Asal teachers from the Empowered2Teach programme, Wah Dinah A/P Bah Haron from Gopeng,Perak, Nabila Binti Aris from Gua Musang, Kelantan

and Siti Noraini binti Abdullah, from Kuala Rompin Pahang. The successful launch marked a meaningful milestone, not only for the E2T programme, but also for pre-school education among Indigenous children.

“We believe that every child has the right to know and love their Mother Tongue, culture and tradition,” Anderson Selvasegaram, Executive Director and founder of SUKA Society shared. “Through this syllabus, we hope to create a strong sense of identity in these young children, and to help them build resilience and confidence in themselves from a young age.”

As the main corporate sponsor of the project, Ms. Cheryl Ong, CEO of OSK Foundation also had this to say: “At OSK Foundation, we firmly believe in the transformative power of education. As we recently celebrated the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples on 9th August, we are proud to have the opportunity to help bring accessibility of the various Orang Asal languages to the Malaysian community as a way to bring awareness to, and preserve their rich cultural heritage and identity.”

In addition to introducing the Mother Tongue Syllabus via a delightful performance featuring songs and stories from the syllabus by E2T teachers, guests were also able to explore the syllabus and its components through experiential booths and exhibits detailing the journeys of the E2T programme and the Mother Tongue Syllabus.

Categorised by the six themes, guests could try their hand at guessing the animals based on their names in Semai and Temiar, learn how the Orang Asal build a raft, and show off their skills with a slingshot, crafted by the Orang Asal themselves while admiring their craft and handwoven tools. The full set of the Mother Tongue Syllabus was also displayed, allowing guests to peruse the materials and books.

Additionally, activities for children were held at the Children’s Activity Corner during the launch, exposing and introducing elements from the syllabus to local children. Children were taught songs and stories from the syllabus, and shown how to weave headdresses from the Orang Asal’s traditional outfit.

“By including our mother tongue in the curriculum, we empower Orang Asal teachers and students to learn and teach in their own language, strengthening both education and cultural heritage,” Zaliha a/p Titoi, E2T Programme Facilitator of SUKA Society stated. “We also extend our gratitude to the Orang Asal community, whose collaboration has been the backbone of developing this curriculum, with invaluable support from CLC Pemulihan and E2T teachers.”

The Mother Tongue Syllabus comprises six comprehensive and age-appropriate themes which are Diri Saya (About Me), Keluarga Saya (My Family), Pekerjaan (Occupation), Kenderaan (Transportation), Haiwan (Animals) and Bunga (Flowers). The syllabus also includes teaching tools such as lesson plans, worksheets, arts and craft activities, songs, storybooks and thematic artwork.