Educational Pathways to Reintegration: A Comparative Analysis of Approved Schools and Penal Institutions in Malaysia

This concept paper explores the issues and challenges associated with the provision of education and vocational training programs in Malaysia approved schools (“Sekolah Tunas Bakti”) and potential benefits for the reintegration process of child offenders. The study focuses on the group of child offenders aged 10-18; who are sent by the Court for Children to be admitted into the child rehabilitation institutions under the management and discretionary powers of the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia. The study will adopt a qualitative methodology approach by undertaking in-depth interviews with upper-level management, academic teachers, and child offenders of the institution; fulfilling the objectives of perceiving the thoughts and insight of respondents on how the educational and vocational training programs available in the institution may enhance the reintegration process of the youths. In addition, the study will also conduct an analytical study on documents regarding policies, laws, regulations, guidelines etc. related to government strategies towards assisting the rehabilitation and reintegration process among child residents placed in rehabilitation institutions. The study is expected to contribute to the successful reintegration of youths by informing the improvement of education and vocational training programs and related policies in approved schools, while advancing Business Education through the development of entrepreneurial skills, and self-reliance. Furthermore, the study seeks to promote inclusive and equitable access to education and vocational training, strengthening rehabilitation and social reintegration, and support effort to reduce reoffending among child offenders by developing a more cohesive, rights-based, and outcome-oriented reintegration framework for child offenders.