SIBU: Sarawak will introduce psychological evaluation tests as an additional condition for the opening and registration of new childcare centres (Taska) in the state.
State Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the additional condition to the existing requirements was set by the federal government to prevent child abuse.
According to her, the test is compulsory for every childminder to ensure the mental and emotional status of employees working at child care centres.
“The Welfare Department can conduct it (psychological evaluation test). If not, we will cooperate with government hospitals by obtaining the service of psychologists or we will train our officers until they are able to handle the tests,” she told reporters after a visit to Destiny for Children Centre here yesterday.
Sarawak Welfare Department, she said, has been given the responsibility to look into this additional condition.
She called on nursery operators in the state to register their centres with the Welfare Department as it is a requirement under the Child Care Centre Act 1984. – Bernama
