KEMAS to build 47 kindergartens, nurseries with RM21.9 mln allocation

ALOR GAJAH, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Community Development Department (KEMAS) will build 47 kindergartens and nurseries this year through a government allocation of RM21.9 million, said Rural Development Deputy Minister I Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

He said the project, which is expected to be completed within two years, involved 45 kindergartens and five nurseries that would be built throughout the country except in Pahang and Penang.

“The construction can indirectly meet the current demands and needs of early childhood education in urban and suburban areas.

"So far, progress is going well and if I'm not mistaken the initial construction phase and the contractor appointment process occurred last month, and it usually takes more than a year to complete the project," he said at a media conference after officiating the 2022 Early Childhood Education Course (SPAK) at Permata Resort Camp in Ayer Paabas here today, which was also attended by KEMAS director-general Datuk Mohamad Bidin.

He had earlier presented certificates to 349 trainees from five KEMAS training institutes and training centres from Melaka, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and Terengganu who completed their three-month course.

Abdul Rahman said the construction project was in line with the ministry’s efforts to create more kindergartens and nurseries capable of accommodating high demand each year especially in rural and urban areas.

"The construction will ensure children as young as two to six years old can receive early quality education through standards set by KEMAS," he said.

He explained that KEMAS was ready to train more educators with diplomas in Early Childhood Education and also diploma graduates in various fields to meet teaching standards.

He said this made KEMAS the most trusted brand by Reader's Digest through the Gold Award received in the Early Childhood Education category recently, thus repeating its success in 2020 and 2017.

In a related development, Abdul Rahman said at least 50 percent of a total of 700 KEMAS kindergartens and nurseries will have internet access by 2030.

"It is being implemented in stages this year with the installation of broadband internet (wifi), while laptops and smart televisions will be supplied to the kindergartens and nurseries,” he said.

-- BERNAMA