Kelantan: Three Orang Asli students from Kelantan have made history after being offered places at Fully Residential Schools (SBP) for the upcoming school session beginning Feb 23. State Education Department (JPN) director Siti Norina Muhamad announced that the three 13-year-old students are Muhamad Putra Faizul Ab Ghani, Nur Muhammad Al-Khawarizmi Rosmi, and Nor Cristina A/P Ranya.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the last time Orang Asli students were admitted into fully residential schools was 10 years ago. The success of these three students demonstrates that such achievements are attainable when opportunities and continuous support are provided. "Kelantan JPN is extremely proud of their achievements," Siti Norina said. "Two of them have been offered places at Sekolah Menengah Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, while another has been placed at Sekolah Menengah Sains Gua Musang."

In addition, the Education Ministry will bear the registration expenses for all three students, she told reporters after the Kelantan JPN monthly assembly at Dewan Sri Tunjong.

Meanwhile, one of the recipients, Muhamad Putra Faizul, a student from Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Rual in Jeli, expressed hope that his achievement will inspire other Orang Asli children to strive for admission into fully residential schools. He, being the eldest of two siblings, aims to excel academically and prove that students from the Orang Asli community are also capable of healthy competition in academics if they possess determination and perseverance.

'I will make full use of this opportunity to achieve my ambition of becoming a Bahasa Melayu teacher so that I can contribute and help future generations succeed,' he said.