DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF PENAN STUDENTS IN TWO PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT OF THEIR SCHOOL

Abstract

This article documents the demographic background of Penan secondary school students that arestudying in two public secondary schools located at the Baram District in Miri Division, SarawakMalaysia and the academic achievement of their schools’ leavers. Ethnographic research methodswhich include survey questionnaire, interviews and field observations are used to obtain the data. Datafrom interviews and observations are analysed thematically and Microsoft Excel is used to analyse datarelated to demographic profile of students such as their age, gender, village and level of education.Data on the cost of transport used to go to boarding schools and information related to the access tothe internet and telephone service are analysed to examine students’ mobility and accessibility. Accessto social services, including the internet and telephone, is important for all people, including Penanpopulations. In the context of education, internet access allows for learning to take place at any time,any place and at any pace. Through the data on students’ demographic profile and academicachievement of school leavers, the study calls for the understanding of Penan education beyondindividuals’ agency. This includes the understanding of students’ mobility from village to boardingschools which interlinked with the idea that education enables and promotes the acquisition of skills,knowledge and broadens individuals’ horizons. Moreover, pursuing secondary schools outside students’villages provides opportunities for employment outside their villages after the completion of their SPMor STPM examinations; opens a window to advance their education to tertiary level as an attempt toimprove their socio-economic status.