MELAKA, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will begin opening Community Development Department (KEMAS) kindergartens for children with autism in every state starting next year.
Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the initiative was prompted by requests from rural communities who want children with special needs to have access to education.
“There are already such schools in several states, particularly in urban and suburban areas, opened by private parties. But the issue is that rural communities cannot afford to send their children to these schools.
“That is why KEMAS, as an agent of societal change, has agreed to implement this special KEMAS kindergarten programme, starting with a pilot project in Melaka.
“Insya-Allah, we will expand it to all states next year,” she said after visiting the special KEMAS kindergarten pilot project, Tabika KEMAS Istimewa @ KEMAS Hang Jebat, here today.
Also present was Paya Rumput assemblyman and State Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin.
Rubiah said the special KEMAS kindergartens would be gradually expanded to the district levels in each state, as catering to children with special needs is a new undertaking for the agency.
"These special children require dedicated care to help unlock their full potential. We hope these classes will achieve even greater success, that the teachers will become even more effective, and that we can nurture these children and help them realise their true abilities," she said.
Meanwhile, Rais said the state government has allocated RM300,000 to three special KEMAS kindergartens in Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah to meet the needs of rural residents with special needs children.
He said the allocation is being used to upgrade the existing KEMAS kindergartens with teaching aids and additional facilities such as air conditioning for the students’ comfort.
-- BERNAMA
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