Foster Children Speak A Glimpse Into Their Academic Journey

Author: Jariah Mohd Jan Cherish How Siti Zaidah Zainuddin
Publisher: UM Press
ISBN: 9789674884109
Weight: gsm
Pages: pp
Year: 2025 
Price: RM47

This book brings together the stories of foster children in Malaysia, offering a glimpse into their academic performance, emotional needs, and life challenges. Through  bservations and voices from both children and their teachers, it sheds light on the real-world circumstances of foster children — stories too often overlooked in public discourse and academic literature. By foregrounding the voices of these children and those who work closely with them, this book instills awareness of the challenges, be it academic or social, that they face in school which may affect their academic success. The book is structured across five chapters. It begins with an overview of Malaysia’s foster care system, including key policies and protections. This is followed by a review of global research on foster care from several regions, examining issues in education, health, and social development. The core chapters feature narratives from Malaysian foster children and their teachers, organised using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to explore the layered realities they face. The final chapter offers key insights and practical suggestions, inviting future research from those interested in working on or with children in care. This volume is essential reading for researchers interested in child welfare, educators working with vulnerable students,  counsellors addressing behavioural and emotional needs, and — most importantly — foster caregivers, social workers, and NGOs advocating for children in care. Centring real stories and practical insights, it calls for more cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement to ensure no child is left behind in their academic journey.