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A 17-year-old girl who went viral after dropping out of school due to severe bullying has been given a second chance at education
Syafikah's story was shared on Facebook by content creator Afiq Noordin, who noticed her working at her family's small breakfast stall in Pekan Tangkak, Johor.
I asked, "How old are you?"
"Seventeen, sir," she replied.
"SPM is tomorrow, right? All the best! What stream are you in?"
"Visual Arts Education," she answered.
However, he noticed the young girl's smile had faded.
Eventually, Afiq learned from the girl's mother that she had quit school after enduring relentless bullying
"We reported it to her class and discipline teachers. They promised to handle it. We even tried to file a police report, but the school stopped us, saying they would manage it themselves," Syafikah's mother told Afiq.
"One of the teachers often made my daughter the target of jokes in class until everyone laughed at her.
"Her father is disabled — he lost a leg and uses a wheelchair. He once came to the school gate to confront the bullies, but none dared to come out.
"Eventually, my daughter couldn't take it anymore and decided to quit school. The teacher even supported it, saying it was better for her to join a vocational centre," she said.
Afiq Noordin (left) and Syafikah (right) at her parents' stall in Pekan Tangkak.
Image via Afiq Noordin (Facebook)Afiq learnt that Syafikah had been bullied since Form 1, with last year being the worst, making it impossible for her to attend school
Before quitting, the 17-year-old shared that she had already missed a month of classes. She tried to find the strength to return, but every time she thought of her bullies who mocked her and belittled her father, she could not find the courage to go back.
Worse yet, earlier this year, when Syafikah expressed interest in studying on her own to sit for SPM, her school offered little help.
"I asked my teacher for help to register. The teacher said she'd handle it. But when I followed up later, she said it was too late, the slots were full," she told Afiq.
Syafikah has since been helping her parents run their food stall, and even before quitting school, Afiq learned she would wake as early as 4am to help prepare the rice, bihun, and noodles.
Sharing her story on Facebook, Afiq hoped that the Education Ministry, Johor State Education Department, and Tangkak District Education Office would investigate — not to accuse or slander, but to seek the truth and help a hardworking child failed by the system
"I speak up because I believe every child who's bullied and failed by the system deserves justice," he said.
The post, published on 10 November, quickly went viral, receiving over 22,000 likes and 5,300 shares, with netizens expressing their sympathy for Syafikah and calling out the bullies and the school's failure.
In an update today, 13 November, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced that MARA would offer Syafikah a place at GIATMARA Muar to study Culinary Arts, her chosen field
Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki speaking to Syafikah on the phone about her MARA sponsorship.
Image via Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (Facebook)Asyraf added that MARA will cover all costs, including a monthly allowance, basic necessities, and accommodation for the student
"Alhamdulillah, the collaboration between local community leaders and GIATMARA Johor has restored hope for Syafikah to continue her education in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)," he said in a statement on Facebook.
The MARA chairman added, "I want to emphasise that bullying is not a trivial matter, nor is it normal. It can destroy a child's confidence, crush their spirit, and ruin their future. We must be brave enough to reject this culture and protect the children who become victims."
"Syafikah's story is a reminder that every child deserves a second chance," he said.
