KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development has expanded its focus on early childhood development by adding three kindergartens and two nurseries, bringing the total number of SeDidik Early Childhood Education Institutions (IPAKK) to 98 this year.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this includes PPR Bandaria Park, Bintulu, Lawas SeDidik Kindergarten and Semariang Batu SeDidik kindergarten which were established based on increased needs and at the request of the local community.
“The two nurseries are the UNIMAS Workplace Nursery and the Dalat Community Welfare Complex Workplace Nursery established to provide support services to working parents, especially those who need childcare services near the workplace,” she said at a meeting held after the handing over of duty from the acting general manager to the general manager of SeDidik Sdn Bhd at the Baitulmakmur II Building, today.
“With the increase in access and demand from the local community, it illustrates that SeDidik continues to gain trust from the community.
“Therefore, we must always improve the quality of services, facilities and the quality of SeDidik teachers,” she added.
With continuous efforts from the ministry, Sarawak has succeeded in achieving 98.35 per cent of Year 1 children (this year) having completed their preschool studies.
“We are committed to increasing this percentage until it reaches 100 per cent in 2025,” she further explained.
As of April 30, 17 out of 98 SeDidik kindergartens have a total of 27 children with special needs.
In line with this new policy, the ministry together with SeDidik has identified strategic partners namely Pusat Genius Kurnia, OSEIC Sarawak and the Federation of the Deaf of Malaysia in designing a training curriculum for educators and caregivers so that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills to help children with special needs.
