SARIKEI, Aug 31: The state government has allocated RM16 million for this year’s special grant to fund early childhood education in Sarawak.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the annual grant would benefit 3,035 childcare centres and kindergartens throughout the state.
She estimated 2,390 children from childcare centres and 79,751 kindergarten pupils benefiting from the grant.
“As in Aug 27, this year, my ministry received 2,771 applications from registered childcare centres and kindergartens for this fund, where each would receive RM5,000 annually from the state government, involving a total of RM7.6 million.
“This grant would be used by the centres to fund balanced free meals for their children for proper physical development and growth, to purchase learning materials for fun learning and interactive activities, parental involvement in children’s education and learning, as well as for professional development of teachers through life-long learning,” she said.
Fatimah was speaking at the state-level Merdeka Day celebration, here, today.
She expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s administration for the state commitment to ensure proper development in early childhood education.
Fatimah also lauded the introduction of the Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), where each Sarawakian newborn since January 2019 would receive RM1,000.
She said as in July 31, 2019, a total of 20,970 births were recorded in the state and out of that, 19,529 were Sarawakian newborns. A total of 13,270, or about 68.3 per cent, have registered for the EFS.
Fatimah urged those who have yet to register to do so at any of the 52 National Registration Department offices across the state. — DayakDaily
