RM6m to disinfect all Kemas kindergartens, childcare centres
PUTRAJAYA: The Rural Development Ministry has allocated RM6 million to disinfect and equip all Department of Community Development (Kemas) kindergartens and childcare centres as a precaution against Covid-19, said Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.
He said the kindergartens and childcare centres would use the rotational attendance system, whereby 50 per cent of the children would be present daily, based on the size of the premises, so that social distancing could be practised.
“The children will attend classes every other day.
“For kindergarten children aged 5 and 6, four-hour online classes will be conducted for those who do not attend classes,” he said after visiting the Bunga Raya Kemas Kindergarten and Childcare Centre in Presint 11 here yesterday.
He said the alloaction included the cost of disinfecting all 520 Kemas childcare centres involving 9,575 children aged between 2 and 4, and 10,910 Kemas kindergartens involving 218,177 preschoolers.
It included the provision of thermometers, disinfectant liquid, face masks and disinfection equipment.
On the rotational attendance, Latiff said 46 of 113 children registered at the Bunga Raya Kemas Kindergarten were present yesterday.
Latiff watched the children being taught how to use the disinfectant liquid. They were also told not to put their fingers in their mouths.
He said the ministry was considering setting up private Kemas kindergartens for families in the M40 group as there was a high demand for them, especially in Putrajaya, where there were many working couples.
“Perhaps Putrajaya can set up private Kemas kindergartens that charge lower fees compared with other private preschools.”