KUCHING: The process of registering stateless children will be made easier starting next year, said Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching.
According to Teo, the decision was made in the ministry meeting last week and it would allow the parents of stateless children to register them for school.
“After this, if one of the parents is a Malaysia citizen, they can register their children for school by providing the birth certificate, court order, or adoption certificate.
“We will send a letter to the Education Ministry in the near future regarding the decision made so that it can be implemented starting early next year,” said Teo when met by the reporters after attending the SMJK Kuching High Alumni Gate Opening Ceremony here yesterday.
She also noted that based on the information received from the former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, there were about 300,000 stateless children in the country below the age of 18 in 2016.
Teo explained that this was due to parents failing to register their children’s birth.
“I always receive complaints and such from the elected representatives on this matter. We must simplify the registration process to enable the children to attend school,” she said.
She added that the decision will apply to all, from primary to secondary schools, and will be allowed to take the public examinations from UPSR to STPM.
“If there is no verification document, they need the approval from local community leaders such as the Ketua Kampung, Penghulu or elected representative,” she said, adding that parents must present the relevant documents within two years.
