SARIKEI: Increasing the number of preschools nationwide might offer a viable solution to the problem of low enrollment rates in schools.
Deputy Minister of Education Lim Hui Ying said that while increasing the number of preschools may not be the definitive solution, ensuring a pool of preschool students there will be guarantee that Year 1 students enrolling the following year.
“For children aged 4 to 6, as long as there is demand and the school can accommodate the classes to start their preschools, they are welcome.
“The Ministry of Education’s responsibility is to provide a preschool teacher and an assistant teacher, upon need,” she said at a press conference at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Bulat following her working visit here today.
Meanwhile, in her speech, Lim urged that all parties, including school principals, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and alumni to work together in boosting enrolment in schools with low student numbers.
“We need (to work together) to find a solution, if we still cannot tackle the issues, maybe we need to think about other solution.
“It might involve merging underpopulated schools with nearby schools or relocating them to areas with higher populations. Any decision must be carefully considered, weighing the implications of such a move,” she said.
Lim also suggested the introduction of various programmes to attract the interest of the community, particularly parents, in education.
She hoped that school management will strive to actualise the government’s vision of nurturing more successful students.
