CCTVs mulled for nurseries, preschools
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering installing closedcircuit television cameras (CCTV) in nurseries and pre schools, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said this was among the proposed measures to address abuse cases involving children at the centres.
She said some operators had voluntarily installed CCTV to monitor the centres’ operations and boost security.
“Some suggested that CCTV monitoring be made compulsory to open a childcare centre.
“I have discussed the matter with agencies, including the authorities, to monitor those (responsible for) installing it and ways to ensure a holistic monitoring,” she said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) yesterday.
Noraini had asked about the government’s efforts to weed out illegal childcare centres and if the management of children would be handled by a department.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is women, family and community development minister, said the ministry monitored childcare centres to ensure that they were up to standard.
“Inspections at nurseries by officers from the Social Welfare Office are carried out to ensuree that the centres comply with national standards for childcare facilities.” She said the childcare industry was spurred by families’ financial capacity.
“Most babysitters earn a meagre salary while waiting for a better job offer,” she said, adding that the ministry would review the Child Care Centre Act 1984 to ensure that babysitters held an accreditation in childcare and early childhood education.