PUTRAJAYA, June 9 – Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said a new early childhood education pathway linking Kemas childcare and kindergartens to national preschool and primary education is being developed through a strategic collaboration between the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) and the Education Ministry (MoE).
He said he initiated efforts to position Tabika under Kemas as “feeder kindergartens” for preschools in national schools across the country.
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between KKDW through Kemas, and the MoE through this collaboration.
“Children enrolled in Kemas nurseries and kindergartens from as early as two, three and four years old will be educated under a curriculum that has been aligned between Kemas and KPM.” he told reporters after attending Kemas educators’ day celebration programme here today.
At the age of five, he explained that the children will transition directly into preschool within national schools, before progressing to Year One at the age of six.
This, he said, would help build a more structured and integrated early childhood education ecosystem.
“Education for children under the age of five will be under Kemas, while preschool education at age five will be under the Education Ministry. At six, they will continue seamlessly into Year One,” he added.
In his speech earlier, he said he would like to see Kemas educators continue to be given opportunities to enhance their skills through lifelong learning, professional training and exposure to new educational approaches.
He added that the learning environment must also be continuously improved, noting that children are entitled to a conducive, safe and enjoyable learning space, while educators should be provided with appropriate support.
