KUCHING: A collaboration between SeDidik Sdn Bhd and several teaching institutes to produce excellent educators to ensure the quality of Early Childhood Education and Care service delivery has been well-received by the Early Childhood Development Division under the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Woman, Family and Childhood Development (KPWK)
Its head, Selina Bujang, said among the universities that are participating in the collaboration are Open University of Malaysia, Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS), Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Sarawak and SIDMA College Sarawak.
“Early education and childcare is actually not just about preparing children before going into formal schooling but rather it focuses on holistic development – meeting the social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs of children to build a solid foundation.
“It is also one of the best investments we can make to build human capital with knowledge, good manners and a high sense of self,” she said during the Way Forward for the Early Childhood, Education and Care Institute press conference held at the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Woman, Family and Childhood Development Sarawak (KPWK) here, today (Dec 14).
Through this initiative with local public and private higher education institutions, the ministry hopes to have 100 percent of SeDidik teachers hold at least a Diploma in Early Childhood Education by 2025.
As of now, out of 157 educators, 11 educators have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, 96 educators have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, 40 educators will graduate at the end of 2022, and meanwhile another 10 are expecting to graduate in 2025.
Selina said that they are emphasising a ‘Open Policy’ that stresses inclusivity, with the need that all SeDidik Early Childhood Education Institutions (IPAKK) accept the admission of children with special needs.
“Previously, SeDidik did not accept children with special needs due to a lack of trained educators and suitable facilities but as of Dec 1, 27 out of 98 SeDidik kindergartens have a total of 63 children with special needs (19 children have OKU cards and 44 are still in the registration process).” she said
In line with this new policy, the ministry together with SeDidik – a firm that specialises in early childhood education – 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.
“This training is targeted at all SeDidik educators and caregivers (136 people) which will be implemented in stages and hopefully educators can take advantage of this opportunity in their effort to help children with special needs so that they do not fall behind in education starting from kindergarten level,” she added.
