By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Aug 26: Sarawak government has approved RM2.5 million subsidy to assist eligible pre-school and kindergarten children in their early childhood education fee.
In announcing this, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said it will help those vulnerable groups who are not able to send their children to pre-school due to financial restrain.
“I sympathise with her (Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah) and those who are deprived, and therefore, her request for that RM2.5 million is approved,” he said when officiating the opening ceremony of Sarawak Preschool International Convention 2022 held at a local hotel in Miri today.
Abang Johari was referring to a request made earlier by Fatimah who is Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development.
Speaking earlier, Fatimah said the federal government has given fee subsidy for pre-school and kindergarten children including those in Sarawak.
According to her, the fee subsidy for pre-school is applied directly by respective operators to the State Welfare Department and each child is entitled to RM180 subsidy per month for those whose family incomes are RM800 and below for urban areas, while RM500 for rural areas.
She added that the applications have to be submitted to Sarawak Education Department and only children who are under the e-Kasih list are qualified for the subsidy.
Each eligible child is entitled to RM930 subsidy annually.
“However, not all parents are registered under e-Kasih and out of 2,661 applicants, only 351 have been approved for 2022. As such, Sarawak need RM2,148,300 to help the eligible children,” she added. – DayakDaily.
