On the 8th October 2011, we attended a roadshow organised by Jawatankuasa Pemandu in collaboration with Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia on 'Quality and successful Preschool Education. It was an eye-opener for both of us as the government through its GTP (Government Transformation Programme) has decided that in order to achieve a developed nation status in year 2020, it needs to develop its human capital. Through Jawatankuasa Pemandu the government has singled-out that human capital development should start from the young age and thus, the role that 'Early Childhood Care and Education' play is vital in achieving this target thus, enhancing the image and status of preschool educators is the starting point.
We realised that society do not place the ECCE educators highly as their most desired profession. They are lowly paid and their benefits working in this industry is not attractive compared to those working in government schools. However, these people keep on burning the candle for the love of our little children who need their love, care and guidance irregardless of the low-pay.
The government has decided that in order to increase the image and professionalism of the ECCE industry, the workers will need to have a minimum qualification of Diploma in Early Childhood Education and in line with that salary and benefits will have to increase. On our part as operators of preschools, we welcome this move but our biggest dilemma will be the increase in our operational costs. To answer this issue, the government will come up with incentives for parents who sends their children to daycare centres (Taska) and kindergartens (Tadika). What sort of incentives? Well, I guess we'll have to wait till next year for the announcement to be made.
If you have any comments to improve the industry, by all means bring it forth so that we can highlight them to the right channel.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rozainee Khairuddin talking about 'Enhancing the Professional Image of Preschool Educators'
Talk by Puan Hanim from the ECCE Council
Puan Hanim delivering an inspiring and motivational talk
Some of the photos taken during the roadshow.