Latest news with #CommunityDevelopmentDepartment
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: The preschool mandate
HERE'S why preschool will soon be compulsory: In 2021, a total of 286,861 Malaysian children between 4 and 6 years old did not attend one before starting Year 1. These children, representing about 27 per cent of that age group, reportedly lacked "school-readiness skills". Still, attending any preschool — whether government-run or private — is widely considered as vital to quickly teach children to read, write and count. Children's "3R" skills are also complemented by parental guidance, pop culture TV and social media programming. The contrast in these formative cognitive skills between children who attend preschool and those who don't can be glaring. A simple yardstick to appraise preschoolers is their ability to read and grasp age-appropriate books by authors like Enid Blyton. Children who skip preschool may take years of primary school education to become adept at reading such books, if at all English is their primary language of instruction. While not yet compulsory, the government intends to make preschool education mandatory after it addresses existing disparities. Pre-school unavailability in rural areas, low parental awareness, affordability and below-average teacher quality have to be worked out. Despite these issues, preschool enrolment, according to some studies, has hit 90 per cent coverage, although the Education Ministry estimates it is closer to 80 per cent and, hence, the aim to legislate early education. To understand the 10-20 per cent of parents who did not enrol their children, their reasoning may have merit. They prefer to homeschool their "unprepared" children for better nurturing and bonding. Some are motivated by religious beliefs or special needs, feeling that kindergartens are ill-equipped for that purpose. Unfortunately, a segment of parents who want preschool education for their children face financial barriers, particularly if childcare is also required. Despite these concerns, the government believes a mandatory law would reinforce the message that early education is crucial. It also aligns with the goal of achieving 98 per cent enrolment, exceeding the world average. However, caution is advised: to serve rural communities, the Community Development Department's (Kemas) early education centres have to be expanded. Preschool education is a complex issue, with the main impetus stemming from the impact on child cognitive development, social equity and feasibility. The benefits include enhanced academic and social skills, reduced educational gaps and better preparation for primary school. However, critics will point to cost, capacity, long-term effects and parental involvement. Whatever the challenges, the move to make preschool mandatory must not be hasty, but neither should it be delayed. The profound, long-term impact of preschool makes it the foundation of our nation's future.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
New housing areas must have schools under 13MP
Your browser does not support the audio element. KUALA LUMPUR: The government will make it mandatory for schools to be built in large-scale new housing developments. This is part of the education initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He said that under the 13MP, the government will allocate RM67 billion to build new schools and upgrade existing ones. "The allocation will encompass the construction of new schools, repairs and upgrades of school buildings, including the Community Development Department (Kemas) centres, and infrastructure for public higher learning institutions," he said while tabling the document in Parliament. Anwar said up to this year, the government has upgraded 1,200 schools nationwide. He added that building schools will also become a condition for planning approval in all large-scale housing developments. ""At the same time, the government will expand the development of vertical schools to address student overcrowding and the shortage of suitable land for new school sites." Anwar said the government is determined to ensure preschool and secondary school enrolment rates reach 98 per cent — exceeding the global average. According to the United Nations Children's Fund, the global average for preschool enrolment is 61 to 70 per cent, and 76 tlo 80 per cent for secondary education. "Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, which serves as the main national benchmark, will continue to be used to assess the effectiveness of education policies, curriculum, and teaching methods," said Anwar. The five-year 13MP, which runs from 2026 to 2030, provides a strategic framework for the country's economic, social and environmental priorities. The plan comes as Malaysia navigates an increasingly complex global environment and embarks on an ambitious domestic reform agenda. It will also serve as a key policy platform for the unity government, which has based much of its governance on the principles of the Madani Economy.
Barnama
7 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
13MP: KEMAS Ready To Implement Steps To Make Preschool Compulsory From Age Five
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Community Development Department (KEMAS) is prepared to implement crucial measures under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which makes preschool education compulsory from the age of five. KEMAS said the announcement also aligned with the efforts and commitment as instructed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, to the department. 'KEMAS also welcomes the tabling of the 13MP by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which directly included KEMAS preschools in the initiative to build, repair and upgrade educational facilities. 'As the early education implementing agency that has been operating for the past 55 years, KEMAS will take immediate measures in line with several actions being taken to strengthen the preschool learning ecosystem," it said in a statement today. It added that KEMAS has mobilised comprehensive action plans to upgrade and repair all KEMAS preschool premises nationwide from early this year. The KEMAS registration process for preschool intake for the 2026 session is currently open and will close on Aug 31. 'So far, KEMAS handles 10,567 preschool classes and 546 childcare centres, involving over 200,000 preschool children under the guidance of nearly 11,000 trained educators. 'This effort is strengthened with the implementation of special early education programmes like 'Tunas Istimewa' and 'Pra Tahfiz', which continue to get positive response from the community,' it added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) said in a separate statement that, as the key leader in driving the country's higher education, the ministry is committed to playing a comprehensive role in achieving the 13MP goals.
New Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
13MP: Mandatory for schools to be built in all new housing development areas
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will make it mandatory for schools to be constructed in all new housing development areas. This forms part of the education initiatives rolled out in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat today. He said, under the 13MP, the government will allocate RM67 billion for education to build new schools and upgrade existing schools. "The allocation will encompass the construction of new schools, repairs and upgrades of school buildings, including the Community Development Department (KEMAS) centres and facilities and infrastructure for public higher learning institutions," he said while tabling the document in Parliament today.
Sinar Daily
20-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Seremban housewife turns velvet wire art into lucrative business
She first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts 20 Jul 2025 04:01pm Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama SEREMBAN - What started as a hobby driven by a passion for art has now become a lucrative source of steady income for a housewife here, thanks to her creativity in crafting flowers from velvet wire. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. "I started learning how to do velvet wire arrangements after being captivated by a tutorial on Instagram. I became interested, bought the wire, and tried it out. I saw that the results were quite good. "It was quite difficult at first, but eventually it became easier once I got the rhythm and pattern down to make creations like flowers, keychains, decorations, and bouquets,' she told Bernama when met at her home here. The mother of four said that small velvet wire arrangements can be completed within five minutes, while larger ones like bouquets take up to two hours and that her creations are sold at prices ranging from RM3.50 to RM250 depending on the type and customer request. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama She said most customers usually order velvet bouquet arrangements and decorative flowers as gifts for convocation or retirement events, as they remain beautiful and do not wilt like real flowers, making them lasting keepsakes. "Alhamdulillah, the response has been very encouraging. Every month I earn over RM1,500 from these arrangements, and once made up to RM8,000 when the product went viral on social media,' she said, adding that she runs the business from home. The Jempol native said she is one of the entrepreneurs guided by the Community Development Department (KEMAS), from which she received a one-off assistance of RM5,000 through the Quick Win Programme. Siti Amirah Pilus, 36, said she first ventured into floral arrangement in 2014 by taking orders for wedding gifts before switching entirely to crafting with velvet wire over the past three years. Photo by Bernama Siti Amirah added that she continues to actively participate in various courses organised by KEMAS, particularly for micro-entrepreneurs, to deepen her business knowledge. "My dream one day is to open a shop to sell my crafted and decorative products on a larger scale. Even if it's a small venture, I'm satisfied when my customers are happy with my handiwork,' she said. She also shared that she has no intention of letting her talent go to waste, but instead plans to use it to create meaningful products for herself and for lovers of floral art. - BERNAMA
