THE enrolment rate in government preschools is 66.14 per cent which is 46,505 out of the total 70,305 preschool enrolment for 2023.
Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Development Datuk Rosey Yunus said based on the data by Sarawak Education Department, 98.71 per cent of Year 1 children attending the 2023/2024 academic year have attended preschool.
Currently, SeDidik operates five preschools in crucial locations, namely Long Kawa, Long Kerangan, Long Leng, Long Jenalong and Ba’ Selulong, addressing the specific needs of Penan children.
She said three more preschools will be set up in rural areas, including Rumah Seliau, Ulu Oya, Selangau, Sibu, which is expected to start in early next year and Long Tebanyi, Sungai Paong, Ulu Tinjar, Baram which is expected to operate in second quarter of 2024.
“SeDidik, the state-owned early childhood provider, emerges as a key player, bridging gaps in areas not covered by other agencies,” she said in response to Datuk Ibrahim Baki (GPS-Satok) during Q&A session in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
Earlier, Ibrahim had inquired about the steps taken to ensure the quality of pre-school education in Sarawak.
According to Rosey, various agencies have implemented initiatives like continuous professional development and upskilling programmes for preschool educators.
In 2023 alone, a total of nine courses involving 800 educators were conducted.
She said that SeDidik, aiming for 100 per cent of its 163 educators to possess at least a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) by 2025, has achieved a commendable 93.25 per cent as of October 2023.
The remaining 11 educators are on track to graduate in 2025, underscoring the commitment to excellence.
