Download PDF - ETP - Pemandu

Entry Point Projects
EPP 1
Under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), the
Ministry of Education aims to increase pre-school enrolment from
67 per cent in 2009 to 87 per cent in 2012. Since 2010, the Ministry
of Education has been providing student fees assistance for preschool
children coming from low-income families. In 2011, the
Government provided RM11 million in fee assistance to 14,122
children from low income families, who would otherwise not
have gone to pre-schools, thus unlocking further demand for preschool
education.
While there are plans under the National Key Results Area (NKRA)
to open approximately 4,278 pre-schools over 2010 to 2012,
significant private sector support will be required in the form
of funds and the provision of pre-school education to meet its
targets. To date, the number of students enrolled in private preschools
and childcare centres is 348,874. With the successful
implementation of this EPP, we hope to see more participation
from the private sector in the expansion of ECCE to include
both the pre-school segment and the early childcare segment,
thus increasing the number of children receiving early childcare
education.
Achievements
In order to accelerate the supply of ECCE centres, a number of
enablers have been put in place. The Minister of Education officially
launched the ECCE Council on 18 August 2011. The Council’s role
is to set standards and guidelines to raise the professionalism of
EPP 2
Scaling Up Early Child Care
and Education Centres (ECCE)
Improving Early Child Care and
Education (ECCE) Training
A key success factor to the development of higher standards across
the sector is the quality of ECCE educators. Currently, we estimate
that 93 per cent of teachers within this segment do not possess
any formal teacher training certification. The 10th Malaysia Plan
aims to change this by encouraging a minimum diploma level
qualification for all ECCE teachers. In order to achieve this target,
there is a real need to upskill existing teachers and provide preservice
training.
Achievements
The private sector is expected to take the initiative in developing
high quality ECCE programs recognised by the Malaysian
Qualification Agency.
In 2010, under the GTP, 6,580 private pre-school teachers were
trained by private ECCE training centres for three weeks. In 2011,
6,421 pre-school teachers were trained and in 2012, another 6,999
will be trained by both the Government and the private sector.
ECCE educators, promote professional development and offer
certification for childcare centres and pre-schools. This will result
in improved career paths for ECCE educators and ultimately,
enhance the quality of private ECCE services.
To date, there are approximately 6,767 private pre-schools and
childcare centres nationwide.
Moving Forward
The ECCE Council together with the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government have presented a paper to the Steering Committee
of Education NKEA, proposing a number of initiatives that will
enable the ramping up of ECCE centres such as the setting-up of
a one-stop centre for all submissions and applications pertaining
to licensing, the shortening of licensing approval process from 14
days to seven working days and the harmonising nationwide, of
the rate of conversion from residence to business status and the
processing and licensing fees. The proposal has been approved
by the Cabinet and waiting to be presented to the local council.
At the same time, the Steering Committee will continue in its
efforts to ramp up the number of quality ECCE centres, to cater
for the increased target of enrolment in 2012. The Council will also
commence the certification process for childcare centres and preschools.
The Ministry of Education will play a key role in regulating
the centres, in terms of standard, quality and accessibility of
private ECCE education.
;+*