KUCHING: The Sarawak government, through the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry, has decided to take over the operations of SeDidik Sdn Bhd with an aim to expand and provide quality early childhood education, especially in rural areas.
“We want to enhance the quality of early childhood education for our children from an early stage. With that, they can continue their education at primary, secondary and to a higher level.
“Therefore, such opportunities must be given to those in the rural areas as well,” Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said in a press conference before witnessing the handing over ceremony of SeDidik Sdn Bhd to the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
Abang Johari said as Sarawak Economic Development Corporation’s (SEDC) core business was more towards economics and a bit of social, but if they were to become an agency that played an exclusive role in early childhood education, it would cost them a lot.
“As you know, the cost to provide quality schools in the rural areas is quite high. That is why we decided to take over the operation of SeDidik (from SEDC) so that quality education can be expanded in the rural areas.”
He said apart from taking over SeDidik, the Sarawak government is also establishing international schools and it would be based on the Cambridge University syllabus.
“I also want to congratulate the ministry for being able to take on this new responsibility,” he said, adding that the state Education Department would be monitoring all the schools and they would work with the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Putrajaya as well.
Abang Johari stressed that what is important is to incorporate Sarawak culture in the syllabus of early childhood education, primary and secondary schools.
“As mentioned by the National Unity Minister, if you really want to see people who are united and that they can appreciate each other’s culture, Sarawak is the model. This unity is what we have to protect and cultivate among our children.”
He also said he had directed Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah to work with the National Unity Ministry on how the Rukun Negara (nation’s pillars) could be included in early childhood education.
“The Rukun Negara needs to start with early childhood education so that they understand the philosophy behind in building this country and towards a united country, particularly in Sarawak.”
Also present was SEDC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain.
