17,782 children enrolled in Kemas preschools, nurseries state-wide

A total of 17,782 Sarawakian children have been enrolled in preschools and nurseries under the purview of the Community Development Department (Kemas) for the new academic session that commenced March 11, said state Kemas director Anisah Saidin.

“Out of the total number of 16,583 preschool attendees, 8,376 of them are boys and 8,207 are girls. They are registered at 1,360 preschools throughout Sarawak.

“For the nursery, 1,199 enrolments were received at 85 Kemas nurseries state-wide, with registration records of 594 boys and 605 girls,” she said in a statement.

These preschoolers, she said, will undergo the ‘Salam Sahsiah Programme’ – a three-month orientation period to facilitate a child’s smooth transition to the school environment.

The Salam programme incorporates various activities tailored to help children transition to their new learning environment, as well as for them to meet and mingle with their prospective classmates and teachers.

Nutritious meals will also be provided for the children, subsidised by the government through its annual grant, to boost the children’s growth.

“Under the guidance of trained Kemas community educators who hold diplomas in Early Childhood Education, these children will be provided with conducive learning environment that supports their cognitive development,” said Anisah.

“Having been lauded as a trusted brand in early childhood education by the Reader’s Digest for the fourth consecutive time, Kemas is committed to delivering quality in early childhood education.”

Aligned with the National Preschool Standard Curriculum, the children will be exposed with foundation skills and a positive self-concept, while preparing them for the subsequent stages of their educational journey.