Be a professional early childhood educator
EARLY childhood education is a diverse field that involves the care and education of children from birth until the age of eight. In Malaysia, Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is divided into two age groups, which is zero to four years and four to six years.
Early childhood care and education (ECCE), as defined by Unesco, is the “holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.”
These experiences will go on to shape young learners’ minds, attitudes and behaviours, and these young children are the future of our nation.
The Human Resource Ministry and TalentCorp, the national agency that drives Malaysia’s talent strategy towards becoming a dynamic talent hub, listed Early Childhood Educator as one of the critical jobs needed in Malaysia for 2018/2019 in its Critical Occupations List 2018/2019 Occupation Report recently.
This includes pre-primary school teacher, kindergarten teacher, pre-school teacher, early childhood educator, and nursery teacher.
There have been many changes incorporated into the education system over the years, but the emphasis on the importance of giving proper care and education in the early years, known as the “formative years” has remained consistent. As such, it is imperative that carers and educators are passionate and qualified in order to provide proper care and high-quality education for
It is imperative that carers and educators are passionate and qualified in order to provide proper care and high-quality education for future generations.
our future generations.
Thus, as Malaysia moves forward to a progressive and positive direction on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the Education Ministry has made it its mission to ensure that all Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) educators have the minimum qualification of a Diploma in Early Childhood by 2020.
SEGi University Faculty of Education dean Dr Lydia Foong did a study on Private Sector Early Child Care and Education in Malaysia: Workforce Readiness for Further Education last year, examining the status of the private sector early childhood workforce in Malaysia and their readiness for further training.
The study involved a sample of 3,087 preschool teachers who were asked to complete a paper-and-pencil questionnaire that explored their readiness for further education.
The results show that a large proportion of private sector teachers are young, under qualified, inexperienced and as a result, underpaid. However, the teachers are aware of the need to upgrade their skills and are ready to do so if given the opportunity.
The study also suggests that there is an urgent need to attend to private sector teacher professionalism so that quality early childhood care and education can be provided to the very young in the country by the private sector.
SEGi University, known as a trusted pioneer in providing ECCE programmes, embraces this need and is committed to train in-service preschool teachers who have risen to the challenge and returned to obtain their Diploma. Realising the rising need and demand for qualified Early Childhood Educators in other countries such as Australia and Singapore, SEGi University also conducts career talks for those working in Singapore.
If you have the passion to help mould the future generation and the compassion and love for children, find out more on ECCE programmes at SEGi University.
■ Log on to www.segi.edu.my or call 03-6145 1777/WhatsApp 011-1210 6389. Alternatively, speak to any counsellor to learn more about the courses and workshops available for you.