Early Childhood Education
KUCHING: A total of 256 graduates of Sidma College Sarawak proudly received their Diploma in Early Childhood Studies at its sixth convocation ceremony yesterday.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah was present to officiate at the event as well as present scrolls to the graduates.
The event took place at the Kompleks Islam Sarawak hall at Jalan P Ramlee here.
According to Sidma College Sabah and Sarawak group chairman Prof Dr Morni Kambrie in his speech, the institute has produced thousands of graduates since its establishment in 1998.
He said Sidma also took part in embarking on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in which the syllabus and co-curriculum has paved special areas which enable students to continue pursuing their studies in ECCE at degree-level.
“In the past, jobs as kindergarten or nursery teachers are viewed as lacking in the eyes of the society, but that stigma has changed now.
“People have started to see ECCE as an effort which has its own value or standard,” he said.
He also mentioned that recently, over 200 Sidma graduates majoring in ECCE have been accepted by the government to teach in secondary schools.
“This shows that our effort is recognised by the leaders and the society. It is not ‘alang-alang’ (half-hearted) or with no value,” he added.
Sidma College Sarawak, said Dr Morni, pledged to assist the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development in helping the graduates so that their welfare will be taken care of.
The same event witnessed Monica Langgong awarded the Chairman’s Award for her excellent academic achievement.
Amongst those present were Malaysia’s Early Childhood Education specialist Prof Dr Bustam Kambrie, Sidma College Sarawak board director Marzuki Umi, chief executive Dayang Sofia Abang Bohan and financial director Hanizah Mohidi.
