The First Head of State for Sarawak: The Native Officers’ Connection

Abstract

The education field is an important platform for producing a knowledgeable society and providing quality manpower in a country. However, this study found that student dropouts, especially from secondary schools in Malaysia, can worsen the country’s socioeconomic situation, and this issue should be studied to assess the quality of the country’s education. Therefore, this study aims to identify the effects faced by students, students’ families, society and the government in the short and long term. This qualitative study was conducted by interviewing 40 Indian dropout students from secondary schools, selected as the study sample in Selangor through purposive sampling. The findings of this qualitative study are presented appropriately through three stages such as categorising and organising the data in the analysis table and quotes; triangulation and data encoding techniques; and identifying themes to give meaning to school dropout issues. The study’s findings are presented in the narrative structure. Studies have found that dropout issues among students cause them to engage in low-income employment, social ills and criminal and juvenile cases that pose a threat to social well-being. Therefore, the study of the effects of student dropouts is important to highlight. This study also emphasises potential measures as a strategy to prevent school dropout issues. It is to prevent at-risk students from being present in the school learning system.