Conclusion
This paper underscores the importance of reinforcing
measures to safeguard the right to education for refugee and
stateless children in Malaysia. Although the Malaysian
government has started to include undocumented children in
the public education system through the establishment of
Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih, there remains a notable
proportion of stateless children residing in Malaysia who have
yet to benefit from inclusion policy. Responsibility sharing is
another aspect that needs to be emphasised. The
responsibility of providing education to refugee and stateless
children should not fall solely on the host country or UNHCR.
Instead, a collaborative approach involving a spectrum of
stakeholders, including international organisations, NGOs and
donor countries, is pivotal. By sharing the responsibility,
sustainable solutions can be developed, ensuring the
long-term education of these children. Moreover, educating
refugee and stateless children holds tangible advantages for
Malaysia’s lasting economic progression. These children
possess the potential to mature into productive members of
society, enhancing the workforce and potentially addressing
labour shortages in various sectors. Noteworthy also is
the potential alignment of a more inclusive education system is
a window of opportunity for Malaysia to strengthen its
commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
(2030 Agenda), as reflected in Malaysia’s national blueprint,
the 12th Malaysia Plan and as a party to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child since February 17, 1995.
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