KUALA LUMPUR: Rasah Member of Parliament Cha Kee Chin has urged the government to ensure equal funding for all schools to set up preschool facilities ahead of the rollout of compulsory preschool education.
He said this measure was essential to prevent lower-income families from being financially burdened when sending their children to preschool.
“We must consider this matter carefully. I urge that, before making preschool education compulsory, the government first allocates sufficient funding for preschool facilities.
“Secondly, ensure that all schools, whether government or government-aided, receive equal funding to set up preschool classes before the implementation, so that it is fair to all parents.
“We do not want a situation where families who cannot afford it are forced to send their children to private schools,” he said during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13MP, announced that the government would make preschool education compulsory from the age of five to improve educational outcomes.
He said the government would also review optimal school hours, assess the effectiveness of specialised schools, and enhance education models for gifted and talented students.
Cha also called for improvements to the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) in schools, in line with the Prime Minister’s statement during the tabling of the 13MP that there was a need to strengthen support for children with disabilities.
He said the plan to establish PPKI classes in 34 existing schools nationwide was a positive step, but the number remained too small.
“I urge that this number be increased significantly. Are there any plans under the 13MP to establish PPKI classes in schools in the Rasah constituency? There are schools here that do not yet have PPKI classes,” he said.
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