By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Nov 11: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hopes Sarawak’s initiative to establish its own preschool curriculum will provide a better education for children from the lower income group.
He said to prepare children well for primary and secondary education, it was important that they are groomed properly during their preschooling years.
“Developed nations like Singapore and Finland emphasize on preschool preparation for their children prior to entering primary education, especially in understanding science subjects as well as having a good command in languages.
“So, if our children have good command in these subjects from a very young age, they would have a very strong foundation. Unfortunately, at the moment, the only preschools here where children can do so would be to enter private preschools, which have very high fees.
“Only the rich can afford to send their children to these preschools,” he said at SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Alumni (OldStar) Reunion Dinner at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) here on Saturday.
Hence, as he had announced at the Yayasan Sarawak Chief Minister’s Special Award Night on Friday, his administration would use its own initiatives to develop preschools in the state with its own funds.
“That is why in the 2019 state budget announcement, I imposed a sales tax on petroleum-based products, which would be able to generate an extra income of about RM3.58 billion to the state’s coffers.
“With this extra income, we would be able to provide a more holistic development to our people, especially in education,” he told those present. — DayakDaily
