October 23, 2009 19:55 PM

BUDGET: RM100 Million For Permata Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The government is allocating RM100 million to the PERMATA programme which emphasises on early childcare and education in an integrated and organised manner.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in tabling the 2010 Budget at the Dewan Rakyat on Friday said the allocation was to implement the following:

* Drawing up guidelines to coordinate curriculum, training and qualifications of trainers at all childcare centres.

* Training intelligent and talented students in performing arts by Permata Seni. This programme will be implemented by Ministry of Information Communication and Culture.

* Guiding exceptionally intelligent students to excel through PERMATA Pintar. This programme will be implemented by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in collaboration with the University of Johns Hopkins of the United States. The first intake will be in 2011.

* Educating students to understand, internalise and practise the fundamentals of Al-Quran through PERMATA Insan. This programme will be administered by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia for students between nine and 12 years old.

The PERMATA programme has been introduced in 457 childcare centres to date and successfully nurtured 17,565 children.

In addition, PERMATA will also implement the Perkasa Remaja programme to train and guide youths between 18 and 25 years old to discourage them from getting involved in social ills.

He said the programme administered by UKM would enable youths to be more responsible and useful to the society and nation.

-- BERNAMA

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