In Malaysia, a surprising trend is emerging that has raised eyebrows among educators and parents alike: some children are missing school simply because they or their parents have overslept.
Photo via Facebook (Mohd Fadli Salleh)
Mohd Fadli Salleh, a teacher, recently highlighted this issue on his Facebook page. He shared a screenshot of a Tuesday attendance record from May 13th, revealing that out of seven students absent that day, four gave the excuse of waking up late, “The excuse for skipping school nowadays is unbelievable,” he commented.
“What’s even more surprising is when you ask the students why they didn’t come, they say, ‘My father woke up late and no one was available to send me.’”
Fadli pointed out that this problem seems especially common among children from less privileged or middle income families. According to him, many parents in these groups appear more lenient about school attendance compared to previous generations.
He reflected on how things were different in the past. “Our parents came from humble backgrounds. They worked hard in the fields, tapping rubber trees, buying cattle, and building homes. If we didn’t go to school, we would have faced real consequences, like getting hit with yam sticks! They understood their hardships and pushed us to study hard to avoid the same fate.”
In contrast, he observed that nowadays, some parents from similar backgrounds allow their children to skip school, neglect homework, and miss extra lessons. This shift, he believes, is puzzling and problematic.
Zaman sekarang punya alasan tak hadir ke sekolah. Tepuk dahi gais. Lagi best bila tanya alasan tak hadir kat murid, '...
Posted by Mohd Fadli Salleh on Tuesday 13 May 2025
Fadli also suggested that the influence of social media might be contributing to this attitude. Content that downplays the importance of education in achieving success and wealth may be encouraging young people and their families to underestimate the value of schooling.
This concerning trend highlights the need for renewed focus on the importance of education, discipline, and parental involvement in Malaysia’s youth development.
