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By Shikin Louis
BARAM, July 4: Another kindergarten was set up in Kampung Long Leng under Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s (Petronas) corporate social responsibility (CSR) project in collaboration with the Sarawak government, bringing the total to five kindergartens for Penan community.
The new Tadika Komuniti Sedidik Penan was launched by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in a ceremony held in the village here today.
According to Sarawak Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, the five kindergartens were established under Program Pendidikan Komuniti Anak-anak Penan Petronas (PPKAP) in Apoh-Tutoh Baram following the implementation of Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) project.
Apart from Long Leng, the other four kindergartens were located in Long Kerangan, Long Kawa, Long Jenalong and Ba’Selulong.
“This is the pilot project to improve the access, equity and quality of early childhood education for Penan children aged 4 to 6, while waiting for the federal government agencies such as Kemas or Sarawak Education Department to expand its services to the remote areas.
“Petronas has agreed to bear the costs of PPKAP from 2015 to 2020 with a total allocation of RM2.75 million,” she said at the event.
On Aug 1, 2020, Petronas handed over the PPKAP to Sedidik Sdn Bhd, which is under the Sarawak’s Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK).
As of June 30, this year, there are 33 children studying in the five kindergartens under the guidance of five teachers and five assistants.
Among those present were Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohammad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Development Mohd Razi Sitam, Baram MP Dato Anyi Ngau and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau. — DayakDaily
