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Sarawak showcases inclusive early childhood initiatives at ARNEC 2025 in Philippines
Fatimah (fifth left) and other dignitaries attend the ARNEC Conference 2025 in Manila.
KUCHING (July 3): Sarawak's commitment to inclusive early childhood care and education (ECCE) was prominently featured at the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood Education (ARNEC) Conference 2025, held in Manila, Philippines.
Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, presented the state's innovative, child-focused strategies with an emphasis on integrating children with special needs into mainstream ECCE services.
She shared that SeDidik, the state-owned ECCE provider, had adopted an 'Open Door Policy', currently serving 198 children with special needs, representing 6.8 per cent of its total enrolment across 106 centres.
'All SeDidik teachers have been trained in inclusive practices and basic sign language to ensure accessible and respectful communication,' she said in a statement issued from Manila today.
Fatimah also highlighted Sarawak's expansion of early intervention services through One-Stop Early Intervention Centres (OSEIC), now available in both urban and rural areas, supporting more than 683 children to date.
In collaboration with the Japanese social enterprise TOY8, digital screening tools have been introduced to reduce assessment backlogs and identify developmental needs earlier.
Supported by the Nippon Foundation and the Government of Japan, the initiative is also facilitating smoother transitions from intervention programmes to mainstream kindergartens, with four children successfully making the shift so far.
'Disability inclusion begins in early childhood. By teaching empathy, understanding and respect from the start, we are shaping a more inclusive future for all,' she added.
Themed 'Advancing Equitable Early Childhood Development (ECD) Services: The Critical Role of Effective Local Governance' the ARNEC Conference gathered regional stakeholders to exchange best practices in inclusive early childhood development. ARNEC early childhood care education fatimah abdullah inclusive Philippines
