KUCHING: Two additional uses for the Special Annual Grant (GTK) have been approved to reduce the burden of early childhood education institutions (IPAKKs).
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said GTK could now be used for small repair works and also for purchasing furniture and electrical goods.
She said the grant, which was introduced in 2019, would be continued this year.
“Previously, it was only for four purposes, namely for balanced meals for the children, fun learning activities, professional development of educators and carers, and programmes which involved parents,” she said during a press conference at the Baitul Makmur II Building here today.
She noted that last year, two additional uses for the grant had also been announced, namely to pay for premise rent and the salaries of teachers and staff members, as well as to help purchase cleaning and sanitisation supplies and necessities to fulfil post Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Registered IPAKKs may apply for the RM5,000 GTK from now until April 30.
Fatimah said as of Feb 28, there was a total of 2,968 registered taskas (nurseries) and tadikas (kindergartens) in Sarawak, including private-owned institutions.
