Educational Accessibility Barriers among Homeless and Asnaf Communities in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study examines educational accessibility barriers among homeless and asnaf communities in Malaysia through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to ensure a systematic and transparent process of source identification, screening, and selection. A total of 17 selected studies published between 2020 and 2026 were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that marginalised communities continue to experience multiple forms of educational exclusion influenced by structural poverty, documentation issues, social discrimination, psychosocial pressures, and weaknesses in institutional support systems. The study also highlights the significant role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), zakat institutions, social workers, schools, and alternative education initiatives in expanding educational opportunities for vulnerable communities. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated synthesis of homeless and asnaf communities within a single educational accessibility framework, as both groups are often discussed separately in previous studies. Overall, the findings contribute to the social sciences literature by strengthening the understanding of educational exclusion as a multidimensional issue and by offering broader insights for inclusive education, welfare support, and social intervention planning in Malaysia and other developing and multicultural contexts.