Special needs Tabika centre in every state by 2026: Zahid
Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025
By: Azmie Lim Text Size: Zahid (front right) looking at the progress of Tabika Kemas Kampung Sapagaya children. LAHAD DATU: Malaysia will soon establish its first special needs Tabika centre specifically designed for autistic children, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Community Development Department (Kemas) will spearhead the initiative, with Melaka becoming the pilot state for the Tabika Tunas Istimewa programme for autism development. 'This initiative is part of Kemas' strategic efforts to expand inclusive education access for autistic children, helping them become independent and lead better quality lives,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, during the Sentuhan Kasih Desa Madani event at Tabika Kemas Kampung Sapagaya. It reinforces the government's commitment to inclusive and quality early childhood education, particularly for rural communities. The Melaka State Government has allocated RM300,000 for the project. Three pilot centres will launch simultaneously in Masjid Tanah (Tabika Ayer Hitam), Melaka Tengah (Tabika Hang Jebat A) and Jasin (Tabika Merlimau Barat 2).
Advertisement By 2026, the programme will expand nationwide with at least one special needs Tabika in every state. Kemas is also expanding its Tabika Pre-Tahfiz programme, which strengthens Quranic education at preschool level. The programme attracted 55,269 children in 2024 and aims to establish 4,000 new classes serving 60,000 children in 2025. The target is to produce 140,000 young huffaz by 2026, with 60 per cent of children memorising at least 20 chapters from Juz Amma by the end of the 2024 school session. Kemas welcomes the 13th Malaysia Plan initiatives to build, repair and upgrade educational facilities for Tabika centres nationwide. The department is also prepared to implement the announced policy making preschool education mandatory from age five. Currently, Kemas operates 10,567 Tabika classes and 547 Taska, serving over 200,000 preschool children under the guidance of nearly 11,000 trained educators. Registration for the 2026 Tabika session is now open and will close on August 31. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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