KUCHING: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has suggested the setting-up of a foundation specifically for early childhood education in the state.

He said the foundation is necessary to manage early childhood development programmes in the state more systematically.

“What I can see, the early childhood education field in the state has reached great heights.

“But what we have now is still insufficient and we need to think of the best way to further develop the field,” Taib spoke during the closing of ‘Randau Pengasuhan Taska’ convention at Institut Aminuddin Baki Sarawak branch, here yesterday.

Taib also urged women to be actively involved in developing the field, especially the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) women’s wing.

“I have spoken to several PBB leaders to use the womenfolk’s manpower. They have contributed a lot in economic and social development and other fields in the state, and now it’s time to focus on education development, especially early childhood education field.”

During the event, he presented ‘Taska Penanda Aras Berkualiti Tahun 2017 Kerajaan’ award to Taska Permata Kemas Kampung Sri Tajo and ‘Taska Penanda Aras Berkualiti Tahun 2017 Swasta’ award to Taska Pondok Ilmu.

At the same time, Taska Cahaya Horizon received the Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister’s special award, ‘Penanda Aras Berkualiti Tahun 2017’.

Taib also announced an allocation of RM1 million for the development of early childhood education in the state.

Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family, and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, and Assistant Minister of Welfare and Community Well Being Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, were present at the event.