DOI: 10.7763/IPEDR. 2014. V 78. 6 The Role and Perspectives of Administrators in the Schools of Orang Asli Students: A Case Study in the State of Pahang Norwaliza Abdul Wahab 1 , Abdul Razaq Ahmad, Zalizan Mohd Jelas, Norshariani Abd Rahman, Lilia Halim 1 Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Abstract. This study discusses the role and perspectives of administrators towards the schools and education of ‘Orang Asli’ (Original People) students. This case study was carried out regarding to the problems related to the role played by school administrators that give implications for the quality of Orang Asli education. Two primary school administrators involved in the semi-structured interview to answer the focused questions on seven modified aspects of GPILSEO Model. The interview was audio-taped, transcribed and checked for content based on predetermined themes. The findings showed that school administrators have moderate targets in improving the achievements of Orang Asli students, encouraging fun method of teaching and learning, and stated the equipments needed by the school were sufficient but in a sorry state. The findings also showed they carried out assessments for teachers and students as scheduled and helped to distribute assistance from government in the forms of money and materials to the students. The final finding showed that the school administrators and their teacher were highly committed in managing the school of Orang Asli. This gives a major implication that the school administrators should play a role as an agent planning to increase the achievement of Orang Asli students in education. Keywords: Role of Administrators, Indigenous Students, Indigenous Education, Pedagogy 1. Introduction Along with the rapid progress of the country to pursue Vision 2020, awareness of the importance of educational knowledge is increasing, especially among the present generation. Thus, society has placed educational institutions as formal institutions that are responsible in providing the best education for their children. Hence to achieve excellence in a school, school administrators play a major role in ensuring the success of the organization. The effort to pursue and achieve excellence in education lies in the hands of school administrators [1] including the Orang Asli schools in Malaysia. Orang Asli, or literally translated as “Original People” is a Malay term for the indigenous minority community in Peninsular Malaysia. Records from the Department of Orang Asli Affairs (JAKOA) indicate that there are about 147,412 Orang Asli living in 869 villages, representing less than 1% of the total population of Malaysia [2]. The accountability of principals (school administrators) has been understood to establish and maintain good relationships among teachers, representing the role of instructional leader, and exhibiting budgeting practices [3]. School administrative leadership role is closely linked to the efforts to develop teaching and learning in schools. Often this process involves the implementation of innovative educational programs aimed at improving the performance of students especially Orang Asli students who are lagging behind in education. Research showed that high dropouts among Orang Asli children have become an issue as it was reported nearly 34% of those who had completed their primary schooling did not pursue their studies at the secondary level. The lack of interests in academic subjects at schools might be the reason [4], [5]. As a leader or manager of the school, particularly in Orang Asli schools, school administrators are expected to play a role, including providing incentives in disseminating information, conducting staff development activities and to build good relationships between schools and surrounding communities and develop a happy school environment that can receive, nurture and support changes from the outside [6]. The role of school administrators is seen as a determinant of success and failure in the implementation of education programs in schools in particular.  Corresponding author. E-mail address: lyzaalogan@gmail.com. 27