*This article originally appeared in The New Straits Times on 29 September 2012
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KUALA LUMPUR: THE 2013 Budget’s emphasis on early childhood education shows the government’s recognition of the importance of the first five years for a child’s development. Early Childhood Care and Education Council president Professor Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng said the best time to optimise a child’s talents and ability was during the first five years of their life. “The government’s recognition of this phase of a child’s development is in line with the global trend.
“The Budget allocation will help to raise the standards and qualifications of childcare providers and preschool teachers which will be very beneficial to achieve a quality early childhood development.”
She added that the government had also recognised every child’s right to receive quality childcare and education.
“I am very pleased to see that the budget focused on children from the low economic background and the disabled ones, too.”
The 2013 Budget had allocated RM1.2 billion to equip children with basic education. In addition, RM380 million will be allocated to the Education Ministry for placement of kindergarten teachers. Association of Registered Child Care Providers Malaysia president Shamsinah Che Shariff said the allocation for childcare centre operators would indirectly weed out unlicensed centres and unskilled childminders. “Issues of child abuse and death of infants has been on the rise for the past few years. This Budget has addressed it effectively.
“Now, with the special allocation for private operators, the unlicensed ones will be more willing to get their licences. This will encourage them to receive quality training as well.”
Meanwhile, Action Plan for Future of Tamil Schools coordinator Associate Professor N.S. Rajendran said the Budget was an extension to the continuous measures taken by the government to help the Indian community.
“The RM50 million allocation for Indian students from the estates is really special as these are the areas that have raised concerns.
“The allocation for the development of Tamil schools will also be really useful to upgrade the infrastructure especially in rural schools.”
Educationist Tan Sri Professor Dr T. Marimuthu, lauding the government’s effort to help Indian students in estates, said that this was a good Budget for Indians at large. “The Budget concentrates on the disadvantaged and poor Indians. It not only raises the standard of living by educating Indians but also by helping the school drop-outs through vocational training.
“It prepares the younger generation to fit into proper employment.”
He added that other initiatives, such as Tekun which provides an allocation of RM50 million to Indians, were a milestone to the development of the community.
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