BINTULU: Efforts to inculcate cultural and moral values among children should be sown when they attend preschool classes.
Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip said this was because the youth are the next generation who would take on the task of leading the state and country.
“The nurturing of cultural and moral values among children requires the full cooperation of all parties including caregivers, educators and parents.
“We certainly do not want to have leaders who practise corruption and lacks the value of integrity. It will be detrimental to the future generations and may result in a setback in the country’s development,” he said at the closing of a ‘Self-Reflection Programme: Integrity Begins at Early Age’ at a local hotel here today.
Talib who is also Jepak assemblyman, further said that the only way to develop a nation was to indoctrinate a culture of integrity.
“Higher culture and integrity leads to lower corruption. When the corruption rate is low, the level of development increases,” he said.
Talib described the programme as an important occasion as it exposes and provides awareness on the integrity agenda. Here, caregivers and teachers are indoctrinated with the right knowledge and preparedness, ensuring that integrity cultivation exercises at kindergartens and childcare centres can be achieved.
“Children at an early age are very likely to follow through on what they see and hear. Therefore, the role of caregivers and teachers is very important in shaping the personalities of children and students throughout their learning in kindergarten and childcare centres,” he said.
A total of 50 participants attended the programme organised by the Bintulu Early Childhood Nurses and Educators Association (PAKB).
At the event, Talib handed over donations to eleven kindergartens around Bintulu. He also presented a minor rural project (MRP) grant worth RM5,000, to PAKB.
Also present were Talib’s wife Datin Dr Zaliha Abdullah, , State Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (Union) administrative officer Nurul Natasha Natasha, Bintulu Welfare officer Cathrine Machap and Bintulu Islamic Religious Department officer Dzulhazri Japar Shedik.
