ALOR GAJAH: The Rural Development Ministry plans to set up elite children’s preschools (tabika) under the Community Development Department (Kemas) for children from the middle-income group (M40).
Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the proposal is still in the early stage of discussion and the working paper is being devised at the ministry level before it is presented to the Cabinet in the near future.
He said the initiative is aimed at improving existing tabika, including its teaching and learning module, facilities and teachers’ qualification level, as well as providing options to interested parents with children aged four to six.
“Elite tabika will utilise existing tabika that are upgraded, and certain types of fees including monthly fees will be charged,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony and handing over Early Childhood Education Course (SPAK) certificates, here, today.
Currently, priority to children from low-income families (B40) are given and to date the ministry is not planning to raise the monthly fee, which is in the form of contribution, from RM5 to RM25 monthly.
Meanwhile, he said, for Kemas children’s nursery (taska), specialised for children aged two to four, the fee is not more than RM150 per month with a maximum 25 children per intake.
He added the ministry is targeting to set up another 50 taska nationwide in stages due to high demand from parents. – Bernama
