KUCHING: Sarawak is planning to provide subsidies to B40 parents sending their children to registered private child care centres.
Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that the state government has approved RM2.5 million for the said subsidy.
“We are currently working on the details for this subsidy. If all goes well, we will be able to ease their burden and financially aid parents by April this year,” she said during a press conference after visiting Taska SeDidik Semariang here today (Feb 6).
On another matter, while pointing out the importance of early childhood education, Fatimah said that SeDidik plans to establish 106 kindergartens statewide.
“According to SeDidik general manager Ayub Dahari, there are a number of children who are on the waiting list to enter the centre.
“As of this year, we have 99 centres in the state. Hence, we hope that we will be able to build more centres as a testament to its popularity.
“Here, parents are able to send their children aged four and below to the childcare centre while next to it, there is a kindergarten to cater to the older children between four and six years old,” she said.
Furthermore, Fatimah added that as a way to help the lower income group, the state government has provided subsidies for the children enrolled in SeDidik.
She said the monthly fee for the centre varies as it follows the income of the children’s parents.
It is understood that for the SeDidik in Semariang here, there are four children who do not need to pay any fees while the other children only have to pay a monthly fee ranging from RM50 to RM350 per person according to their parent’s income.
