This study is a survey to identify the challenges faced by students without citizenship. In this study also, the support activities and needs and requirements of teachers and schools in assisting non-citizenship are also identified.

1. TEACHING EXPERIENCES IN ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF
UNDERSTANDING STATELESS STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS IN SABAH
Sandra Cilla Binti Endire
Faculty of Education, University Technology of Malaysia
Sandracilla13@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Sabah is a major contributor to the status of non-Malaysians showing 3.2 million people in Sabah
and 30,000 are children who are not recognized as citizens in Malaysia. This study is a survey to
identify the challenges faced by students without citizenship. In this study also, the support
activities and needs and requirements of teachers and schools in assisting non-citizenship are
also identified. Although they are born without any identity and nationality status, their rights as
a human must be taken into account. The method of this study is qualitative in which the
research instrument is interview involving 10 students and six teachers. The results show that
they are of the opinion that they are eligible for Malaysian citizenship. There are many
challenges faced by them in academic, social and economic fields. As a result, teachers and
schools have devised a range of support activities for these students and subsequently meet their
needs and wants for the future.
Keywords: Stateless, Non-Citizenship, Human Rights
Introduction
In Malaysia too, the issue of people without these facts is one of the issues that need to be
addressed by the government (UNHCR Global Appeal, 2013). According to statistics from the
Department of Statistics, Malaysia (2017), Sabah is a major contributor to the status of people
without this statement. Statistics Department of Statistics Malaysia (2017), shows 3.2 million
people in Sabah, but more than 30,000 people are children who are not recognized as citizens in
Malaysia. Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab said the total
number of street children was 200,000, 50,000 from the Philippines and 150,000 from Indonesia
(Achiron, 2014).

2. This problem is caused by a variety of factors. Among them is marriage between
Malaysians and foreigners from neighboring countries (Ismail Ahmad, 2015). This contributes to
the increase of people without identification cards or better known as stateless people (Sze Phin,
2015). According to Allen Ng (2015), the majority of these children are children and
grandchildren and immigrants from neighboring countries such as Indonesia and Filifina.
Sabah is a state in Malaysia which is still a lot of people who do not have legal status
(Adnan, 2017b). The sequences of these, there are various issues that have links and are
influenced by immigrants or people without legal status (Adnan, 2017a). This issue gives many
challenges to the country (Pattison, 2015). Among the most obvious challenges facing children
without citizenship are the lack of educational opportunities (Achiron, 2014, Turk, 2014).
Clearly, big problems will arise if they do not have citizenship because all rights will be denied
mainly in education, health and employment opportunities (Utusan, 2016).
In most countries in the world, these children are offered education, but to a low and
basic education level such as primary school (Dunmore, 2014). Meanwhile, according to Tracey
Gurd (2010) in an article published by the Open Society Justice Initiative, most non-Malaysians
children either from Indonesia, the Philippines or India are not accessible to basic education at
secondary school level. This is because without a birth certificate and a citizen's certificate, they
are not given the opportunity to register at any school.
There are various problems faced by students without citizenship especially in educations
and health (Hooker, 2012). A study was conducted by the UNHCR in July and August 2015
regarding the issue of children without citizenship. UNHCR has interviewed 250 children,
adolescents, parents and guardians as well as communities and governments in seven countries
including Malaysia on their experience in the issue of citizenship. This summary study has
shown that people without citizenship have many problems in terms of education.
In addition, there are a number of key challenges in the education aspect of trafficked
children without legitimacy based on the study conducted (Turk, 2014). In some cases, they are
not allowed to go to school and register at the school (Abdul Muhid, 2013). In countries like
Georgia, identification documents are needed to gain access to primary school education.
However, children without citizenship in Malaysia still have access at primary school. Problems
will occur when they want to pursue their studies at secondary school level. They can attend
secondary school but are not given the opportunity to take the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
examination as the main requirement for a public examination is to have a Malaysian identity
card (UNHCR Global Appeal, 2013).
Without the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, they cannot pursue higher education such as
diploma and diploma. This has led to the escalation of their education and the standard of living
is also difficult to improve. Additionally, they directly block opportunities and good career
prospects and thereby reduce their potential development (Pattison, 2015). As a result, their

3. standard of living cannot be improved. Most of the children from this group dropped out of
school as a form of three as they realized there was no chance for them to go further in education
(Adnan, 2017a). Clearly, the fate of children without education in education is alarming in
Malaysia. Their opportunities are stuck without taking into account their potential to be more
successful in life. This also causes their rights as a human being very limited.
Challenges Faced by The Stateless Children
There are many issues and problems with people with no citizenship (Turk, 2014). Data
released by the United Nations Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) in 2016 show that one-third
of the 10 million people without citizenship are the most vulnerable children of this crisis.
Without birth certificates, their educational qualifications will be denied thereby inviting a dark
future (Utusan, 2016). According to Sinar Harian, (2016), there are many problems in Sabah
where there are no birth certificates or any documents as parents come from outside the country.
In addition, the problem of children of this nationality is because the children are not registered
because their parents may be one of the Malaysian citizens but the marriage is not registered
(Fadli, 2014). In addition, many local children in the state do not have an IC (IC) but illegal
immigrants are easy to obtain. Children in the interior of Sabah and indigenous parents whose
parents are Malaysian citizens do not apply for identification cards for children because they live
in the streets, poor and no welfare, and then develop in disadvantage, as if there is no future ( Sze
Phin, 2016).
There are various problems faced by those who do not have identification cards
especially for children who grow up (Pattison, 2015; Tan, 2017). Their future depends on the
possession of a personal identification card or a Malaysian citizen's certificate (Adnan, 2017a).
The main challenges they face are mainly in education. In government schools, children without
identification cards can only go to form four and they cannot sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
examination. This can have an impact on their future although they have the potential to succeed
in life and contribute to the nation's development in both political and educational aspects. In
other cases, many of them have talent in sports. However, without an identity card, they cannot
develop their talents and potential to a higher level.
Most children who do not have identification cards have low self-esteem. This is because
some local people consider that they are third-class man (Ismail Ali, 2011). The third class
human title is given because of various responses and perceptions like wild, evil, impurities and
so forth. The Sabah and Federal governments have carried out temporary citizenship programs
through the Green My Card program in 2008 and were awarded with unrestricted access,
political refugee and stateless people.

4. However, this action has caused various reactions from political parties and local people
in Sabah itself. Whether their parents are of foreign or national origin, their right to human
beings should not be neglected as embodied in the UN convention where each country is
required to grant equal rights to any individual, especially Stateless People.
In addition, non-citizenship children have constraints when they want to extend learning
to a higher level. Even though they are clever, they will be unable to continue their studies to
higher education (Dunmore, 2014). This is due to higher paid tuition fees from citizens (Achiron,
2014). In addition, this issue is also due to the fact that parents without a job have no permanent
jobs and low salaries. It causes most unpopular children to spend just up to grade 6 (UNHCR
Global Appeal, 2013). Additionally, these unpopular children have no privileges from
governments and schools such as borrowing textbooks and supplements at free schools (Adnan,
2017a).
There are some key issues relating to children without citizenship when they are out of
school and unable to pursue their studies. Among the crime-related issues (Abdul Muhid, 2013)
is that in static 2014, there were 2,306 involving violent crimes namely murder (167), rape (138),
armed robbery (108), robbery without guns (1,008) armed with firearms (10), armies without
firearms (377) and injuring (498). Meanwhile, 7,190 cases involving property crime were stolen
(1,871), stolen cars (568), motorcycle stolen (1,252), stolen heavy equipment (78), snatches
(318) and house breaks (3,103). The absence of a personal identification record amongst the
unknowingly in the country made it difficult for police to investigate a crime (Ghazali, 2014).
Research Methodology
Stage One: Preliminary Review
This stage involves a preliminary study on the background of the study, an identifiable
concept formula, a formula for research problems, questions, and research objectives. General
background information relating to unclassified students has been collected in advance in
general. Based on the research field, the main reading should be done on the sample material to
give a clear picture of the topic of research. This step is important as it works to provide a
research guide. Furthermore, the questionnaire was conducted to find the appropriate research
objectives. At the same time, the study methodology can be roughly designed to find out in
general the methodology to achieve the goal of research.

5. Stage Two: Research Spotlight
The second stage of research is very important to better understand the previous problems
associated with the study. Definitions, statistics, issues and challenges as well as ways to deal
with people without world-wide stats and Malaysia need to be known through sources. Book
reference materials, journal articles, conference papers, workshop papers, annual reports, web
references and other legitimate sources are referred to for information pertaining to more
legitimate and correct facts.
Systematic search of academic research and readings has been conducted to include
studies of any empirical research plans related to the study of persons without the law. At this
stage, the collection of research highlight data involves searching in various electronic databases
(Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Sciences and Emerald). In addition, information is also
obtained from the books of 'stateless people' (who, challenges, ways to overcome and others).
Search is done using the keywords you selected such as people without statutory
(Stateless). Selected keywords have been selected from some of the keywords suggested by the
author in the same study.
Stage Three: Data Collection
This stage consists of information and method of data collection activities conducted in
this study. Collection of primary data during this stage is collected using an interview.
Stage Four: Data Analysis
The data were analyzed through interviews using the tab analysis for 10 students and six
teachers.
Stage Five: Conclusions and Recommendations
Research results have been presented and discussed in the final stages. At this stage all
research findings have been included to meet the goals, research questions and research
objectives of this study.

6. Population and Sampling
10 stateless students have been respondents for the interviews. They are chosen
immediately because of their status and all have the same characteristics and through the
challenge of being a stateless child from birth. With this, they will be more open mind to engage
in sharing their experiences, knowledge and opinions about the situations they face without
citizenship status. In addition, the respondents of this study consisted of six teachers in SMK
Bukit Garam II, Kinabatangan. (Palinkas et al, 2013).
The sampling method used is purposive sampling. Respondents were selected randomly
because of their particular characteristics and in accordance with the focus of the study. This
study is related to non-citizenship. Therefore, only stateless student and teacher were selected in
this studies.
A pilot study
After knowing the population and the respondents of the study, the research continued
with pioneering research as a guide and to obtain item verification in the interview. Pioneer
studies are small-scale studies conducted before actual research is carried out (Piaw, 2012c), it is
carried out prior to data collection from the actual and overall population (Sapsford & Jupp,
2006). While pioneering research does not guarantee success in research, it will increase the
likelihood of success. In this study, a pilot study was conducted to uncover unseen deficiencies
and interviews. The purpose of the pilot study is as follows;
i. To ensure that the items in the interview questions are relevant and appropriate to what the
study requires.
ii. To know the estimated time taken to prepare the interview for not too long.
iii. To test respondents' opinions on questions in terms of sensitivity and relevance.
Conclusion
Overall, the findings show that there are many challenges as a non-resident student in the
school. Among them is the difficulty of registering and extending learning. Furthermore, they did
not obtain the same facilities and privileges as local students as examples of scholarships,
textbooks loans and RMT in school. Furthermore, these children of the citizenship also do not
have the privilege of being in government hospitals and charged them with expensive costs and
many more obstacles they face.

7. While there are many views and opinions that help as steps the teachers and the school
can take to help these people in the future. All the steps are to give an initiative to the relevant
parties.
Therefore, this study has helped to identify the challenges faced by non-citizenship
students as well as the steps to face this challenge. Although the study information is only
obtained from small samples, it has a great impact, especially for non-citizens who want to go to
school in this country. Next is a discussion of the findings of this study.
Citizenship or nationality is a very important prerequisite for children to enjoy all their
basic rights as a human and a people. However, children are the ones who have the least number
of citizenship. There are many challenges faced by children if they do not have citizenship,
especially education, health and safety.
Educational challenges are like children without citizenship hard to enroll in local schools
and to pursue higher education. In addition, non-citizenship students do not receive free
scholarships or education. Other welfare is also not available such as textbook loans as well as
the Supplementary Food Plan (RMT). Other challenges are like not getting the privilege of
government hospitals as well as costly medical expenses. There are also issues and challenges
for children with disabilities who are schooling as a mixer and difficult to do group work with
other colleagues at school. Teachers and communicating friends also lack communication as
analyzed in chapter four of the study.
In the case of non-citizenship, there are students who are active in representing the school
in the academic and co-curricular areas, but their talents are so hidden. Based on the analysis of
non-resident student parents have many job opportunities in the country, but they are difficult to
get a regular job and the salary they earn is very low because of the many who work as laborers.
Children rely on parental care and guardians to ensure they have citizenship and legal
identities. Failure to registers a child during birth clearly deny the child's right to citizenship
because the child has no way of proving his birth place or the identity of a person or both
parents.
Without citizenship, a child has no legal access to privileges granted by the state.
Citizenship or the fact of a child is very important to help them in the future. There are many
privileges if children have nationality in their respective countries. For example, an education,
health and safety child is a major and important thing. Through legal rights it helps them. This is
also some countries do not provide and fund healthcare and education openly to children without
the rule of law.
Living as a childless citizen also causes legal, physical and psychological injustices.
When an adult is immature, he may not be able to get married, open a savings bank, own land or
vote. In addition, the job opportunities that are suitable are difficult to obtain. In addition, birth

8. certificates often act as protection for children. With a birth certificate, for example, a child can
confirm that he is too young to work or is eligible for military service. According to the UN
Human Rights Committee, registering children at birth also helps protect them from becoming
victims of slave trade and child trafficking. Sex exporters and exploiters often target victims
without proper identification, knowing that they are vulnerable to manipulation and
irregularities.
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