By Christine T
KUCHING, Sept 28: Seventeen elderly caregivers are the first to have their skills formally recognised under Sarawak’s Informal Education (IFE) initiative, with Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn hoping that bidan’ (midwives) could also have their skills recognised under the initiative.
Sagah said IFE recognised that valuable skills and competencies could be acquired beyond classrooms and the formal education system, including through work experience, practical experience, and lifelong learning.
“We were discussing something on ‘bidan’ just now. They never went for medical training. They never went to nursing school, but they help to deliver babies,” he said during the launching ceremony and certificate presentation of the Sarawak IFE recognition at the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Tower here today.
Sagah said the first recognition under the initiative involved the 17 elderly caregiving participants, who pursued their studies through a hybrid learning arrangement involving CENTEXS Dalat, Rumah Seri Kenangan Kuching, and MissiCare Elderly Care Centre.
He said the initiative provided an avenue for such skills and experiences to be recognised and valued, while encouraging individuals to continue learning and strengthen their capabilities.
Sagah also highlighted the growing importance of elderly caregiving skills as the population ages.
A total of 105 participants have completed the skills recognition process and received Sarawak IFE recognition certificates.
Sagah said the initiative would be extended to more sectors, communities, and groups across Sarawak to create an ecosystem where community skills could be recognised and further developed.
“We want to create an ecosystem where community skills are recognised and further developed, helping individuals improve their productivity, strengthen their skills, and access greater opportunities,” he said.
The programme was supported by a total allocation of RM473,761 from the Sarawak government, particularly through Yayasan Sarawak and CENTEXS.
Sagah also thanked Yayasan Sarawak, CENTEXS, Rumah Seri Kenangan Kuching, and MissiCare Elderly Care Centre for their collaboration in making the initiative possible. — DayakDaily
